Kumar Mangalam Birla Doesn’t Even Make It to Third Place on India Philanthropy List 2025
When India talks about its philanthropic industrialists, names like Shiv Nadar, Mukesh Ambani, and Nandan Nilekani often come to mind, celebrated for pledging a significant portion of their wealth to society. However, recent figures from the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025 have raised questions about Kumar Mangalam Birla, who ranked fourth on the list.
Massive Wealth, Modest Donations
Kumar Mangalam Birla’s estimated net worth stands at ₹2.8 lakh crore (~$34 billion). Yet, the Aditya Birla Group donated only ₹440 crore during 2024–25. While the amount may seem substantial, it constitutes merely 0.15% of Birla’s total wealth, which appears modest compared to other philanthropic giants.
In contrast, Shiv Nadar donated ₹2,708 crore, about 1% of his wealth, while Mukesh Ambani contributed ₹626 crore, exceeding his corporate social responsibility (CSR) requirements. During the same period, Aditya Birla Group’s profits grew by approximately 60%, while donations increased only 32%.
CSR Focus and Criticism
According to reports, most of Birla’s contributions flow through the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, focusing on education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment. Critics, however, argue that the CSR initiatives often appear more like corporate branding exercises than efforts to create meaningful grassroots change. In some districts of Maharashtra and Jharkhand, local officials report that school upgrades and skill development centers funded by CSR programs are more paper-based than visible on the ground.
Corporate vs. Personal Philanthropy
Reports suggest that approximately 80% of the Birla family’s donations come through corporate channels, with only 20% from personal funds. In contrast, philanthropists like Shiv Nadar and Nandan Nilekani donate directly from their personal wealth, making their contributions more impactful.
Public Expectations vs. Reality
The criticism surrounding Kumar Mangalam Birla stems from a growing expectation that industrialists with enormous wealth should contribute beyond mandatory CSR. While the Aditya Birla Group has increased focus on healthcare and women empowerment, experts suggest that larger investments in education and rural development could create real, inclusive growth rather than just fulfilling corporate obligations.
Name |
Donation (₹ crore) |
Estimated Net Worth (₹ crore) |
Donation as % of Wealth |
Shiv Nadar & Family |
2,708 |
2,50,000 |
1.08% |
Mukesh Ambani & Family |
626 |
8,80,000 |
0.07% |
Bajaj Family Trust |
446 |
1,20,000 |
0.37% |
Kumar Mangalam Birla & Family |
440 |
2,80,000 |
0.15% |
Gautam Adani & Family |
386 |
9,50,000 |
0.04% |