HCL Technologies founder Shiv Nadar and his family have once again secured the top spot in the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025. Through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, they contributed an impressive Rs 2,708 crore during the financial year 2024–2025, averaging nearly Rs 7.4 crore in donations every day. Their contributions marked a 26 percent rise from the previous year, primarily directed toward education and the promotion of art and culture.
Mukesh Ambani and Bajaj Family Follow as Major Donors
In second place, Mukesh Ambani and family of Reliance Industries donated Rs 626 crore in FY25, showing a 54 percent increase compared to last year. The Bajaj family ranked third, contributing Rs 446 crore, an annual growth of 27 percent.
When considering personal philanthropy alone, the Shiv Nadar family continues to lead with Rs 2,537 crore in donations, followed by Nandan and Rohini Nilekani.
More Philanthropists, Larger Donations
A total of 191 individuals appeared on the 2025 list compared to 203 the previous year, but the average donation amount rose sharply to Rs 54 crore from Rs 43 crore. The overall rise in wealth creation across India is evident, with the entry threshold for the list increasing by 160 percent over the past five years. To enter the top ten philanthropists’ ranking, a minimum donation of Rs 173 crore was required in FY25, more than double the Rs 74 crore needed in FY20.
India’s Giving Spirit on the Rise
According to Hurun India’s founder and chief researcher Anas Rahman Junaid, total philanthropy in FY25 grew between 15 and 20 percent compared to FY24 and nearly doubled compared to the last three years. Collectively, 191 individuals donated Rs 10,380 crore in FY25. Junaid noted that India now nearly matches China in large-scale donations exceeding Rs 100 crore, despite having a GDP one-fifth of China’s, and predicted that India will soon emerge as a global leader in philanthropy.
Record-Breaking Giving and Emerging Donors
The top 25 philanthropists on the 2025 list have donated Rs 50,000 crore over the past five financial years, averaging Rs 46 crore every day. Total cumulative giving has quadrupled since FY17, signaling a strong and growing philanthropic ecosystem in the country. The number of self-made donors also rose to 101 in FY25, up by 36 from FY23.
Kumar Mangalam Birla and family ranked fourth with Rs 440 crore in donations, followed by Gautam Adani and family with Rs 386 crore. Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, aged 39, was recognized as the youngest philanthropist for the fourth consecutive year.
Manipal Group chairman Ranjan Pai entered the top five in personal philanthropy after donating Rs 160 crore following his major business deal with Temasek Holdings.
Infosys Founders Strengthen India’s Giving Culture
The co-founders and families of Infosys — including Nandan Nilekani, Kris Gopalakrishnan, K Dinesh, Rohini Nilekani, and Kumari Shibulal — collectively donated more than Rs 850 crore in FY25, averaging over Rs 2 crore in daily giving. This represents a record contribution stemming from a single company’s founders.
Anas Rahman Junaid added that Indian philanthropy is being driven by four major groups: multi-generational family businesses like the Ambanis, emerging entrepreneurs such as Binny Bansal and Infosys founders, non-resident Indians including Yusuff Ali who invest in their home states, and venture capital leaders like Prashanth Prakash who promote institutional and cause-driven giving.
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