The generosity of Indian billionaires is highlighted in the EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024, which saw a record total donation of Rs 8,783 crore for FY 2023–24—a 4% rise over the previous year. This is a noteworthy 55% rise over the previous year, indicating that India’s wealthiest people are increasingly contributing to charity causes.
Rs 3,680 crore has been set aside for education, which receives the majority of benefactors’ donations. Significant donations of Rs 626 crore were also made in the healthcare sector. By 2024, there will be 18 philanthropists who have donated more over Rs 100 crore, up from just two in 2018. This indicates that the wealthy are becoming increasingly involved in social causes.
Shiv Nadar has made an unparalleled commitment to philanthropy. He gave Rs 2,153 crore in FY24, which is about 25% of the entire amount donated by the top 10 donors in India. Since education is a topic that is very dear to his heart, it has been the main focus of his philanthropic efforts.
In 1996, Nadar established the SSN College of Engineering in Chennai, which bears his father’s name, Sivasubramanya Nadar, marking the beginning of his dedication to education. He has persisted in making important contributions to educational establishments, such as founding VidyaGyan, a network of schools designed to give rural kids from disadvantaged neighborhoods free education. His funding of organizations like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) demonstrates his commitment to education. Throughout his career, Nadar has been actively involved in a number of educational initiatives, including donating Rs 80 million to his former school in 2011.
In 1976, Shiv Nadar and five other co-founders established HCL Technologies in a tiny garage. With $13.4 billion (more than Rs 1 lakh crore) in revenue, HCL has grown into a major worldwide IT company. In 2020, Nadar stepped down as chairman and gave his daughter Roshni Nadar Malhotra charge. Nevertheless, Nadar’s charitable endeavors have flourished despite his resignation from active leadership, particularly through the Shiv Nadar Foundation. His charitable endeavors have continuously been led by the foundation. on rural development, education, and other topics.
Despite Shiv Nadar’s unparalleled philanthropic contributions, other prominent philanthropists have also made large contributions in FY 2023–2024.
