India's philanthropic landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, with self-made entrepreneurs, pioneers who built colossal businesses from the ground up now leading the charge in social giving. The India Philanthropy Report 2025, published by Bain & Company, underscores this shift, projecting an acceleration in private giving and showcasing the systemic impact of the nation’s wealthiest families. The overall scale of the social sector in India is immense, reaching an estimated ₹25 lakh crore ($300 billion) in the fiscal year (FY) 2024, but it faces a persistent funding gap of around ₹14 lakh crore ($170 billion) against NITI Aayog's estimates. It is private funding, particularly family philanthropy, that is expected to accelerate, growing at an annual rate of 10–12% over the next five years. The EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025 reveals that the number of self-made philanthropists has now risen to 101, demonstrating that this generosity is directly tied to the audacious vision and ambition of India's newest industrial titans.
The report noted that there were 12 new entrants to the overall list, with the most generous new entrant being Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motor, who donated ₹20 crore.
Pioneers in wealth and giving
This new cohort of givers is led by individuals whose giving strategies mirror their monumental business vision. Shiv Nadar remains the prime example, retaining the top spot with a staggering ₹2,708 crore in annual donations, averaging ₹7.4 crore per day. His foresight in building HCL into a global IT services powerhouse is now deployed through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, primarily focused on massive educational institutions. Similarly, the Infosys co-founders embody the success-to-service journey. Nandan Nilekani is a top philanthropist, donating ₹365 crore and focusing on systemic ‘Ecosystem Building’, while his wife, Rohini Nilekani, has emerged as the most generous woman philanthropist. Gautam Adani contributed ₹386 crore, focusing on education and community development in the regions where the Adani Group operates, and the Poonawalla family, famous for building the Serum Institute of India, channelled ₹173 crore into education and healthcare to uplift underprivileged communities.
The Hinduja family also re-entered the top ten, contributing ₹298 crore in donations and prioritising healthcare and medical infrastructure. It is important to note the recent passing of Gopichand P. Hinduja, the Group's Chairman, who died at the age of 85 on November 4, 2025, in London. He was a key figure in transforming the family business from an Indo-Middle East trading operation into the multi-billion-dollar transnational enterprise it is today.
The rising influence of women philanthropists
Women are increasingly influential in steering the direction of Indian philanthropy, with 24 women philanthropists featured on the 2025 list. Rohini Nilekani leads the cohort with ₹204 crore in contributions, dedicating her wealth to Ecosystem Building, social development, and critical areas like gender equity and climate action. Following her closely is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who donated ₹83 crore, supporting scientific research, education, and healthcare access through Mazumdar Shaw Philanthropy. Bina Shah is another prominent figure, contributing ₹69 crore towards a broad range of causes including education, health, gender equity, and environmental sustainability.
India’s philanthropic focus areas
The overall philanthropic contribution tracked by the Hurun list amounted to ₹10,380 crore in 2025. In terms of sectoral distribution, Education remains the most favoured cause by an overwhelming margin, attracting ₹4,166 crore, which represents 40% of all giving. Following Education, Healthcare is the second-largest cause, garnering ₹971 crore, or 9% of the total donations. While these traditional sectors form the core of giving, new priorities are rapidly emerging. Environment & Sustainability saw a dramatic 148% jump in funding to ₹438 crore, and Arts, Culture & Heritage experienced the sharpest growth, leaping by 212% to receive ₹309 crore. These trends indicate a strategic diversification in giving, moving beyond essential services.