Shiv Nadar Tops India’s Philanthropy List Again, Nikhil Kamath Named Youngest

Rohini Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and wife of Nandan Nilekani, emerged as the most generous woman on the list, making an annual donation of Rs 154 crore

Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, has once again been recognised as India’s most generous philanthropist, maintaining the top spot for the third time in five years. The 79-year-old tech mogul donated a staggering Rs 2,153 crore in the financial year 2024, which amounts to an impressive Rs 5.9 crore per day, according to the EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024. Nadar’s philanthropic efforts are primarily driven through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, which strongly focuses on advancing education and technology-based initiatives.

Rohini Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and wife of Nandan Nilekani, emerged as the most generous woman on the list, making an annual donation of Rs 154 crore. Her philanthropy primarily focuses on ecosystem development, environmental sustainability, and empowering grassroots organisations through her foundation, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.

The EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 highlights a significant rise in charitable giving across the country, with 203 philanthropists collectively donating Rs 8,783 crore — a remarkable 55 per cent increase in contributions compared to two years ago. This year's list underscores the growing role of Indian philanthropists in supporting a wide range of causes, from education to healthcare, reflecting the rising prominence of individual giving in India's social fabric.

Key Growth In Indian Philanthropy

The ‘EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024’ highlights significant strides in India's charitable sector:

18 philanthropists donated over Rs 100 crore annually, a tenfold increase since 2019, signalling a growing trend among the country’s wealthiest to contribute larger sums.

30 philanthropists donated over Rs 50 crore, marking a 125 per cent rise from 2019.

61 philanthropists donated over Rs 20 crore, reflecting a 128 per cent increase from five years ago.

Youngest Philanthropist: Nikhil Kamath Of Zerodha

At 38 years old, Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, became the youngest philanthropist featured on the list. His philanthropic efforts, which focus on education, mental health, and financial literacy, highlight the growing involvement of young entrepreneurs in giving back to society.

Significant Philanthropists And New Entrants

This year’s list also saw several notable new philanthropists making their mark:

Krishna Chivukula, chairman of Indo MIM, emerged as the most generous new entrant, donating Rs 228 crore. His contribution underscores his strong commitment to education and community welfare.

Susmita and Subroto Bagchi re-entered the top 10 with a donation of Rs 179 crore, increasing their contribution by Rs 69 crore from the previous year.

The list also saw a remarkable surge in new entrants, with 96 new philanthropists joining the ranks. Collectively, these newcomers donated Rs 1,556 crore, highlighting the growing trend of wealth creators increasingly focusing on social impact.