MUMBAI: Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, has topped the list of India's most charitable individuals for the third consecutive year, contributing Rs 2,153 crore in FY24.
This equates to an impressive Rs 5.9 crore per day and is nearly 60 percent more than the combined donations of the next four top donors.
In the personal philanthropy list, Nadar again leads, having personally donated Rs 1,992 crore (out of the total Rs 2,153 crore given via his company’s charitable trust, the Shiv Nadar Foundation Institutions).
Following him are Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and Indo MIM Tec chairman Krishna Chivukula, who donated Rs 307 crore and Rs 228 crore, respectively.
The second spot on the Hurun India philanthropy list is occupied by the Reliance Foundation, which donated Rs 407 crore. The foundation, which controls multiple sports teams including the profitable Mumbai Indians cricket team and a football team, also operates corporate hospitals and schools. Bajaj Group Trust ranks third with Rs 352 crore, while Naveen Jindal’s Jindal Steel & Power follows closely with Rs 228 crore.
Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries leads the corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions with Rs 900 crore, according to the report.
In FY24, the top 10 individuals collectively contributed Rs 4,625 crore, accounting for nearly 53 percent of the total donations listed. Nandan Nilekani’s wife, Rohini Nilekani, also entered the top 10, having donated Rs 154 crore, making her the most generous female philanthropist of the year. Four Infosys co-founders—Nilekani, Kris Gopalakrishnan, K Dinesh, and SD Shibulal—rank among the top philanthropists, together donating over Rs 563 crore and securing 6th, 12th, 30th, and 35th places respectively.
The threshold to enter the top 10 philanthropists has doubled to Rs 154 crore, up from Rs 83 crore five years ago.
Additionally, the number of individuals donating over Rs 100 crore has grown to 18, compared to just 9 in 2019.
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, at 38, has emerged as the youngest self-made philanthropist, contributing approximately Rs 120 crore through the Rainmatter Foundation.
Mumbai continues to be the philanthropy capital of India, with 61 individuals from the city making substantial donations, accounting for 30 percent of the total. It is followed by New Delhi and Bengaluru, which represent 19 percent and 9 percent, respectively.