India’s Philanthropy List 2024: HCL's Shiv Nadar Tops With Record-Breaking Donations

The EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 has revealed a remarkable display of generosity, with HCL Technologies founder and chairman Shiv Nadar leading the way with a record donation of Rs 2,153 crore, according to the report. This is the third time in five years that Nadar and his family have topped the list, showcasing a consistent commitment to philanthropy. His daily donation of Rs 5.9 crore marks a 5 per cent increase from the previous year, with the Shiv Nadar Foundation continuing its focus on education, arts, and culture.

According to the report, the top 10 philanthropists together contributed an astounding 4,625 crore in FY24, highlighting the expanding culture of philanthropy in India. Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, ranked second with a Rs 407 crore donation, focusing on healthcare, education, and rural development. The Bajaj family surged to third place with a 33 per cent increase in their contributions, increasing by Rs 352 crore.

Kumar Mangalam Birla of the Aditya Birla Group secured the fourth spot with a Rs 334 crore donation, with 30 per cent of that coming from his personal funds. Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, retained his fifth place with Rs 330 crore, marking a 16 per cent increase in his giving. His donations continue to focus on education, skill development, and community health through the Adani Foundation.

Making a remarkable debut in the top 10, INDO MIM chairman Krishna Chivukula secured the seventh spot with a record-breaking Rs 228 crore donation to IIT Madras. Meanwhile, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani saw a remarkable 62 per cent rise in his contributions, reaching Rs 307 crore and securing sixth place on the list. His wife, Rohini Nilekani, co-founder of EkStep, completed the top 10 with a contribution of Rs 154 crore, making her the most generous woman on the list.

Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher, Hurun India said, “The threshold to enter India’s top 10 philanthropists has doubled, now reaching Rs 154 crore, up from Rs 83 crore five years ago. Additionally, the number of individuals donating over Rs 100 crore has increased to 18, compared to just 9 in 2019. This number of Rs 100 crore donors is impressive, considering that China — with nearly twice as many billionaires and a GDP five times larger than India’s — has ‘only’ 25 philanthropists donating over Rs 100 crore,” said Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher, Hurun India.