“If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way.“- BUDDHA
There is something innately beautiful about giving. It’s instinctive, almost primal, the quiet urge to ease someone else’s burden, and share a part of what we have, even when what we have is not much. Yet, in a world increasingly driven by materialism and accumulation, the act of giving has become super rare and powerful. But India is different. The art of giving is woven into its cultural fabric, echoed in ancient teaching, and kept alive through generations. On that note, let’s discuss some of the top philanthropists in India and how much they have donated to date.
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Top 10 Philanthropists in India
Before starting our list, we must note that it is merely a list, not ranked in any particular order, and that the figures reflect only donations made in 2025. Each entry has made a significant impact through its philanthropic ventures.
1. Azim Premji ($25.8 Billion+)
If there is one name that is synonymous with giving back to the people, it’s Azim Premji. Not only did he donate a whopping $25.8 billion to date, but he did it for the betterment of a sector that shapes the young minds of India. What sector are we talking about? If you guessed education, you are right. This included improving schools’ infrastructure, training teachers, and helping kids in rural areas access better education, making him one of the top philanthropists in India.
2. Shiv Nadar ($398 Million+)
Another person often considered one of the top philanthropists in India, Shiv Nadar, is an example of how simply giving is not enough; you have to ensure the money is used well. As the founder of one of India’s leading IT firms, HCL, Nadar always understood the importance of education in a country’s growth, especially in India. As a result, his foundation has built world-class universities such as Shiv Nadar University and SSN College, all aimed at nurturing critical thinkers, not just degree holders.
3. Mukesh Ambani ( $75 million+)
Being the richest man in Asia, it’s no surprise that Mukesh Ambani is also among the top philanthropists in India. As per sources, the Ambanis donated more than $75 million in FY 2025. One would think that being the richest man in Asia, he would have donated more, but remember, this is how he donated in a year, not all the time. Moreover, his donations are very diversified, from disaster relief to rural healthcare. The Ambanis have proven their mettle every step of the way.
4. Kumar Mangalam Birla ($33 Million+)
The Birla family’s culture of philanthropy goes back generations; Kumar Mangalam is just keeping the tradition alive. His group supports education, culture, welfare, women’s development, and healthcare, to name a few. Moreover, through their immense network of schools and colleges, the group also conducts social drives to bring the spotlight on several social evils.
5. Ratan Tata ($27 Million+)
Ratan Tata is one of the top philanthropists in India, and the $27 million mark doesn’t do him justice. He started philanthropy long before it was “cool”. Unlike other philanthropists, Mr Tata doesn’t just donate, he transforms. He has built rural health, water, and community development projects that have enabled millions of people to live with dignity. Not only that, but he has worked tirelessly for our four-legged friends.
Apart from this, the Tata Family Trust, known as the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, has donated millions, if not billions, over the past century. Hospitals, shelters, sanctuaries, you make it, Tata has done it. And this is the reason why, even after 2 years of demise, Ratan Tata is still one of the most respected and revered personalities in Indian history.
6. Gautam Adani ($21 Million+)
Another name from the big four of India, Gautam Adani, has achieved quite a lot in a relatively short time, making him one of the top philanthropists in India. Through the Adani Trust, he focuses primarily on healthcare, education, and the livelihood of the underprivileged class in rural areas.
7. Nandan Nilekani ($18 Million+)
Everybody knows Narayana Murthy for his contributions to Infosys and for creating India’s digital identity. However, his co-founder is often left under the radar. Nandan Nilekani has consistently been one of the top philanthropists in India, along with his wife, Rohini. They have donated heavily towards education, civic development, water projects, and healthcare.
The best part? He doesn’t just write cheques; rather, he personally pursues his philanthropic ventures and ensures that his donations deliver the results he intended in the first place.
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8. Anil Agarwal ($16.5 Million+)
Anil Agarwal of the Vedanta Group has pledged 75% of his wealth to charity, making him one of the top philanthropists in India. And just like Azim Premji, he also focused primarily on developing infrastructure for the future of India, our kids. His Vedanta Foundation works in child nutrition, education, and youth training programs.
He once said something that completely sums up his approach to philanthropy and life in general. He said, “Money means nothing if it doesn’t change lives.” Well said, sir.
9. Sudha Murthy & Narayan Murthy ($13 Million+)
They say behind every successful man, there is a woman, rightly so. This is especially true in the case of Narayana Murthy, who, along with his wife, Sudha Murthy, created one of the world’s leading IT firms, and once it was fully established, they did what they always wanted to do. Philanthropy. On top of that, they are as humble as they come. Both of them even visit small villages and take note of the money they spend. They trust the ground reality more than they trust numbers. And this is the way to go if you are among the top philanthropists in India.
10. Ajay Piramal
Another top philanthropist in India, Ajay Piramal, is a man of dignity and respect. He believes that businesses should heal, not just collect profit and call it a day. His Piramal Foundation focuses on just that through philanthropic ventures in healthcare, education, and the building of scalable community projects across India.
Leading With a Sense of Duty
Do you know what all of these top philanthropists in India have in common? It’s a sense of duty towards the people of their country, community, and region. They don’t see business as a means to stack billions of dollars, but a means to uplift the underprivileged people of their country. Moreover, this inspires new and budding business leaders to do the same for their people and is an example that money doesn’t have to change you; if it does, it’s on you.
