Ashoka University’s “How India Gives 2025–26” Report Finds Indians Among the World’s Most Generous
NEW DELHI (India CSR): The Centre for Social Impact & Philanthropy (CSIP) at Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR launched the third edition of ‘How India Gives 2025-26’, a comprehensive new report that maps the scale, patterns, and drivers of everyday household giving across India, underscoring that Indians among the most generous globally. Based on 7,225 nationally representative surveys across 20 states and anchored to National Sample Survey (NSS) consumption data, the study provides one of the most detailed insights to date into how ordinary Indians contribute to social causes through cash, in-kind support, and volunteering.
The report estimates that India’s everyday household giving ecosystem is worth approximately Rs 540 billion annually, underscoring its significant but often under-recognised role within the country’s broader philanthropic landscape alongside CSR and institutional philanthropy.
A key finding of the study is the overwhelming dominance of informal giving. A significant share of everyday contributions flows to religious organisations (45.9%) and directly to individuals such as beggars (41.8%), while only 14.9% reaches non-religious organisations. This distribution represents both a challenge and an opportunity, highlighting the potential to strengthen pathways that connect everyday donors to organised social sector initiatives.
Commenting on the report launch, Jinny Uppal, Director & Head, CSIP, said, “How India Gives 2025–26 brings visibility to a form of generosity that has always existed in India but is rarely measured. Everyday giving — through in-kind support, cash contributions and volunteering — is foundational to India’s development story. By anchoring our analysis to national consumption data and tracking patterns over time, we are able to understand not just how India gives, but how giving evolves as the country develops. The opportunity ahead lies in strengthening the bridges between everyday generosity and organised social impact.”
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Household Giving | Estimated at Rs 54,000 crore (Rs 540 billion) annually across India. |
| Participation Rate | 68% of Indians give in some form — cash, in-kind support, or volunteering. |
| Dominant Giving Channels | 45.9% to religious organisations; 41.8% directly to individuals; only 14.9% to non-religious organisations. |
| Mode of Giving | In-kind contributions (46%) slightly higher than cash donations (44%); around 30% reported volunteering. |
| Research Base | Based on 7,225 nationally representative surveys across 20 states, anchored to NSS consumption data. |
“The Rs. 540 billion in annual household giving estimated by this study is both encouraging and instructive. It tells us that generosity is widespread, but it also reveals how little of this flows to organised, non-religious institutions. For India’s development journey, the opportunity lies in respecting the culture of everyday giving while making it convenient, empathetic and impactful”, said Praveen Khanghta, Chief Operating Officer, The Convergence Foundation.
The report also reveals key patterns in how Indians give. In-kind contributions account for the largest share (46%), slightly higher than cash donations (44%), while about 30% of respondents reported volunteering, reflecting the relational and community-driven nature of giving.
In terms of learning channels, in-person canvassing is considered the most effective mode of engagement (25%), followed by social media at approximately 15% across regions. This underscores the continued importance of trust, proximity, and relational credibility in shaping giving decisions, even as digital outreach gains traction.
Importantly, the report highlights that everyday giving cuts across income groups, reflecting how Indians are among the most generous populations globally. Even at low consumption levels (Rs. 4,000–Rs. 5,000 per month), about half of households’ report giving. As incomes rise, participation increases significantly, reaching 70–80% among higher-consumption households. “As a research-led university, Ashoka is committed to generating high-quality evidence that deepens understanding of India’s social dynamics. How India Gives 2025–26 exemplifies this commitment by combining rigorous methodology with public relevance,” said Prof. Somak Raychaudhury, Vice Chancellor, Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR.
The report further identifies four distinct donor archetypes — Grassroot, Aspirational, Practical, and Well-off givers — each with different motivations, awareness levels, and engagement preferences.
By mapping these behavioural insights, How India Gives 2025-26 provides a valuable evidence base to design more inclusive engagement strategies and better connect everyday generosity with structured social impact initiatives. The study deepens CSIP’s efforts to strengthen understanding of India’s philanthropic landscape and build a more resilient, participatory giving ecosystem.
To view the full report, please click here.
