Meet India’s biggest philanthropist, donated Rs 2494548100000 in charity, not Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Shiv Nadar, Narayana Murthy, his name is…, business is…

The TIME magazine lists Azim Premji as the biggest donor in India, ahead of other big names like Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, Shiv Nadar, and Narayana Murthy.

Written by: Gazi Abbas Shahid

Published: May 22, 2025, 8:19 PM IST

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The Time Magazine recently unveiled its ‘TIME 100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy 2025’ list which features four Indian billionaires, including Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, and his philanthropist wife Nita Ambani. However, the Reliance Industries Chairman is not the biggest or his wife are not the biggest donors in India, the title belongs to Wipro founder Azim Premji, who has donated a whopping $29 billion (over Rs 249,454 crore) to charities since 2013.

TIME 100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy 2025 list has divided philanthropists into four categories, based on the volume and size of their donations, and its impact.

• Titans: This includes philanthropist business leaders who have been donating to charities for several years. Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani and Azim Premji have been placed in the ‘Titans’ category.
• Trailblazers: This category lists young philanthropists who have made their mark with substantial philanthropic contributions. Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath features in this category.
• Innovators: These are people working for the betterment of society by making innovations in other fields such as business, science and technology.
• Icons: This includes individuals whose contributions has had a major in different fields.

India’s biggest philanthropist

The TIME magazine lists Azim Premji as the biggest donor in India, ahead of other big names like Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, Shiv Nadar, and Narayana Murthy. According to reports, Azim Premji has donated over $29 billion worth of his shares in Wipro to the Azim Premji Foundation, after the billionaire became a signatory to the Giving Pledge in 2013.

Premji’s charity foundation is mainly focused on improving India’s education system and making it accessible to the less fortunate and the downtrodden, especially in rural areas. The foundation handed out grants worth millions of USD in 2023-24, and has opened 263 teacher training centers and 59 field offices that benefitted lakhs of underprivileged children.

Additionally, Azim Premji has also donated around $109 million to 940 charity organizations working in different fields.

How much did Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani donate

According to the TIME Magazine list, Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani– the Chairperson of Reliance Foundation– donated a combined $48 million (around Rs 407 crore) in 2024. The Ambani family donates in areas like health, education, rural development, disaster management, water conservation, and sports.

Nita Ambani, the co-owner of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, also makes significant contributions in developing future athletes and sportspersons.

India’s youngest philanthropist

Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, who is the among the four Indians featured in the TIME 100 Philanthropy 2025 list, is the youngest philanthropist in India. The 36-year-old, who signed the Giving Pledge in 2023, along with his brother, Nithin Kamath, has pledged to donate over $100 million through the Run Matter Foundation.