A comprehensive new survey has revealed that India’s real philanthropy engine isn’t its billionaires — it’s the everyday household giving that amounts to billions of dollars annually, often flowing through temples, mosques, and community organizations.

The India Philanthropy Report 2026, published by Ashoka University, found that approximately 78% of Indian households make regular charitable contributions, with an estimated total value exceeding $15 billion per year.

“The global narrative around Indian giving focuses on tech billionaires and industrialists,” said lead researcher Dr. Priya Sharma. “But the backbone of Indian philanthropy is the middle-class family giving ₹500 at the temple, the small shopkeeper feeding workers during festivals.”

Religious giving remains the dominant form of philanthropy, accounting for roughly 60% of household donations. Education and healthcare are the next largest categories.

The report recommends that policymakers create better infrastructure for channeling grassroots giving toward developmental priorities, noting that much of the current flow is informal and difficult to track.