India’s top four business families have contributed to 20 per cent of the total Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending done by family-owned or family-run companies in financial year 2023-24 (FY24).
The Tata, Ambani, Adani, and the Birla groups of companies have contributed between Rs 200-1,500 crore for CSR, according to the latest India Philanthropy Report 2025 released by Bain & Company in collaboration with Dasra.
“Family-owned/run firms have been critical to India’s growth story, championing corporate responsibility long before the 2014 mandate requiring CSR contributions. Family-owned/run businesses contribute 65%–70% of private-sector CSR spending annually, totaling approximately INR 18,000 crore, with the top 2% of family-owned/run firms contributing 50%–55% of the total family-owned/run businesses’ CSR contribution, highlighting the outsized role of a few key players,” mentions the report.
India’s Social Sector Funding Has Grown Steadily
The report further highlights that India’s social sector spending is projected to increase to approximately Rs 45 lakh crore (9.6% of GDP) by FY 2029, with public funding continuing to account for about 95% of this. The spending is rapidly growing in the healthcare segment, while education spending is expected to grow at a moderate pace.
India’s social sector funding has grown at a steady rate of 13% over the past five years and is estimated to have reached Rs 25 lakh crore (8.3% of GDP) in FY 2024. Primarily driven by public spending, accounting for 95% of total funding, it is projected to increase to Rs 45 lakh crore (9.6% of GDP) by FY 2029. Despite robust funding growth, the sector is Rs 14 lakh crore short of estimates by NITI Aayog. The gap is projected to increase to Rs 16 lakh crore by FY 2029.
Growth in Public and Private Spending
Public spending has also grown 13% annually over the past five years, reaching Rs 23 lakh crore (7.9% of GDP) in FY 2024. By FY 2029, it is projected to increase to Rs 43 lakh crore (9.1% of GDP), driven by higher growth in healthcare and moderate growth in education spending.
The report further highlights that private spending grew more moderately, with a 7% increase from FY 2023 to FY 2024, reaching Rs 131,000 crore. However, private spending is expected to accelerate to 10%–12% growth over the next five years, largely driven by family philanthropy from ultra-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals, and affluent individuals.
Family Philanthropy Contributing to India’s Socio-Economic Development
Family giving accounts for approximately 40% of private philanthropy, with families contributing to India’s economic and social development through personal giving and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives from family-owned/run businesses, says the report. It highlights that families are reshaping the philanthropic landscape by:
Investing in underfunded and niche causes, with 40% of families supporting gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI), 29% supporting climate action, and 39% of families aspiring to support ecosystem strengthening in the future
Strengthening philanthropy infrastructure by investing in collaboratives and building narratives, sectoral capacity, and institutions
Inclusive, diverse, and forward-looking giving approaches, with 55% of families having women-led philanthropy and 33% of families having Inter-generational and Now-generational givers anchoring philanthropy efforts
Professionalising their giving, with approximately 65% of families having dedicated staff to manage their philanthropy portfolios; additionally, 41% of families prefer grant-making as their primary approach, while 23% integrate both grant-making and direct program implementation
Role of Family Philanthropists in Making India a Global Leader
“India is emerging as a global leader in developing scalable, cost-effective solutions to address social challenges. Family philanthropists—with their patient capital and long-term vision—are uniquely positioned to drive global impact by supporting frugal innovation by India’s dynamic nonprofits. This can position India as a global force for social innovation advancing the country’s vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047,” the report mentions.
