A New Era of Giving: Philanthropic Pledges by India's Elite See a 40% Rise, Reports Hurun India

MUMBAI, India – Parallel to the record-breaking wealth creation, India's wealthiest individuals are ushering in a new era of philanthropy, with total donations soaring by an impressive 40% in the past year. The Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025, released today alongside the Rich List, reveals that the nation's elite contributed a record ₹25,000 crore to social causes, signaling a maturing perspective on wealth and social responsibility.

The report highlights not only an increase in the quantum of giving but also a significant shift in the causes being supported and the demographics of the givers themselves.

The Champions of Charity: Top Givers of 2025

The list of top philanthropists continues to be led by veteran givers, who have made institution-building their life's mission.

• Azim Premji & Family: Retaining the top spot, the Wipro founder's foundation donated an estimated ₹4,500 crore, primarily towards improving public education systems across India.
• Shiv Nadar & Family: The HCL founder remains a top contributor with donations of around ₹3,200 crore, focused on education and art through the Shiv Nadar Foundation and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.
• Mukesh Ambani & Family: The Reliance Industries chairman contributed approximately ₹1,800 crore through the Reliance Foundation, with a major focus on healthcare, disaster relief, and rural transformation.

Trending Causes: Climate and Technology Take Center Stage

While Education and Healthcare remain the most favored causes, accounting for nearly 65% of all donations, new areas are gaining significant traction.

• Climate Change & Sustainability: This emerged as the fastest-growing cause, with donations surging by over 200%. Entrepreneurs are funding everything from afforestation projects to research in green technologies.
• Technology & Skilling: Donations towards programs that provide digital literacy and advanced technology skills to underprivileged youth have also seen a sharp increase.

The Young Philanthropist: Giving Back Early

A powerful trend highlighted in the report is that of young, self-made entrepreneurs engaging in large-scale philanthropy early in their careers, rather than waiting until retirement.

The founders of quick-commerce giant Zepto, Kaivalya Vohra (22) and Aadit Palicha (22), made headlines by pledging ₹500 crore over the next five years towards tackling child malnutrition and funding primary education through their newly formed "First Step Foundation."

"We are witnessing a clear evolution from traditional charity to structured, strategic philanthropy," noted Anas Rahman Junaid, MD and Chief Researcher of Hurun India. "Givers are now more involved, data-driven, and are building institutions to tackle problems at a systemic level. The focus is shifting from simply donating money to solving complex social challenges."

Dr. Meera Gupta, CEO of the non-profit 'India Philanthropy Foundation', commented on the trend among younger donors. "The new generation of givers is deeply passionate and impatient for change," she said. "They are leveraging their tech-savviness to monitor impact and are drawn to complex, global issues like climate change. Their early entry into philanthropy is a hugely positive sign for India's social sector."

This surge in giving suggests that for India's elite, the responsibility of wealth is becoming as important as its creation.