India's Top Philanthropists Donate ₹10,380 Crore in 2025, Led by Shiv Nadar

India's philanthropic landscape witnessed massive growth in 2025, with the nation's top donors contributing a record-breaking ₹10,380 crore. Shiv Nadar led the list yet again, marking a significant push towards education-focused giving.

Shiv Nadar Tops Philanthropy List with ₹2,708 Crore Donation

Shiv Nadar and his family topped the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025 by donating ₹2,708 crore. This was a 26% increase from the previous year. His giving, equivalent to ₹7.4 crore per day, is largely managed through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, targeting education and arts and culture.

Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani Among Top Givers

Mukesh Ambani & family ranked 2nd with a ₹626 crore donation, marking a 54% year-on-year growth. Their contributions, through the Reliance Foundation, span education, healthcare, and women's empowerment. Gautam Adani & family donated ₹386 crore, placing 5th on the list, with education and skill development as their primary focus.

New Entrants and Notable Increases in Donations

Sudhir & Samir Mehta, the Hinduja family, and Cyrus & Adar Poonawalla joined the top 10 for the first time. The Hinduja family's ₹298 crore contribution saw a 150% leap, ranking them 7th. Meanwhile, donations from Sudhir & Samir Mehta surged to ₹189 crore with a focus on healthcare and education initiatives.

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Thematic and Regional Trends in Philanthropy

Education dominated the priority list for most donors, attracting ₹4,166 crore. Mumbai led in donor count, followed by New Delhi and Bengaluru. Maharashtra accounted for the highest CSR allocations. Notably, the pharmaceutical sector contributed 16% of donors, while the IT, auto, and petrochemical sectors followed at 8% each.

Collective Giving and Rise in Self-Made Philanthropists

In total, the top 10 philanthropists donated ₹5,834 crore, 56% of total contributions. The average donation rose to ₹54 crore in 2025, up from ₹43 crore in 2024. The number of self-made philanthropists increased to 101, while 24 women were featured, led by Rohini Nilekani, who donated ₹204 crore.

Conclusion

The sharp rise in India's philanthropic efforts, led by the likes of Shiv Nadar, Mukesh Ambani, and Gautam Adani, highlights the country’s evolving socio-economic fabric. Education remains a dominant cause, while renewed entries and regional expansion mark a promising shift towards inclusive growth through giving.

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