Rohini Nilekani Tops List Of Female Philanthropists — Meet India’s 10 Most Generous Women

Rohini Nilekani has once again become India’s most generous woman, as per the Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List 2025. She topped the list of biggest female philanthropists with a donation of Rs 154 crore to various initiatives. 

The list features 97 women leaders across five core pillars of the Indian economy -wealth creation, value creation, culture, philanthropy and start-ups. Nilekani topped the philanthropy list.

The Bengaluru-based philanthropist has focused on strategic funding with a special emphasis on policy reform, civic engagement, and systemic change to drive lasting institutional impact, according to the Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List 2025.

In other sectors, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCL Technologies, occupied the top spot among the next-generation women leaders. Radha Vembu topped the coveted list of first-generation wealth creators. The Zoho Corporation co-founder has an impressive net worth of Rs 55,300 crore.

Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Shanti Ekambaram ranked at the number one spot in the leading women professionals category.

The women on the list contributed a whopping Rs 464 crore to drive change across the sectors of education, healthcare, rural development and women’s empowerment.

After Rohini Nilekani, Susmita Bagchi was second on the rankings with total donations of Rs 90 crore, primarily in healthcare. The Mindtree co-founder and her husband, Subroto Bagchi, have worked on advancing affordable cancer care by establishing the Bagchi Sri Shankara Cancer Centre and Research Institute in Odisha.

Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw donated Rs 85 crore, mostly in the sector of research and development. Anu Aga and her family used the Thermax Foundation to fund Rs 48 crore worth of projects in education. Aga is also involved with the NGO Akanksha, which helps underprivileged children in Mumbai and Pune gain access to education.

Leena Gandhi Tewari rounded up the top five list, giving away Rs 25 crore towards the causes of education, healthcare, and social development.

Here is the list of India’s top 10 women philanthropists:

1. Rohini Nilekani - Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies

2. Susmita Bagchi - Mindtree

3. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw - Mazumdar-Shaw Philanthropy

4. Anu Aga & family -Thermax Foundation

5. Leena Gandhi Tewari - USV 

6. Sara George Muthoot - Muthoot Finance 

7. Manju D Gupta & family- Lupin 

8. Archana Chandra - A.T.E. Chandra Foundation and Radha Vembu - Zoho Corporation

10. Shabana Faizal - Faizal Shabana Foundation

Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, the 65-year-old philanthropist, and her husband Nandan Nilekani, have been giving back to society a core part of their lives. She is the co-founder of a non-profit educational platform called EkStep, which aims to empower communities and strengthen educational resources across the country.

She had topped the EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024. Rohini and Nandan Nilekani gave away over Rs 450 crore to various charitable causes last year.