India's Social Sector Spending Likely To Increase To Approx Rs 45 Lakh Crore By FY 2029: Study

New Delhi, Feb 27, 2025: India's social sector spending is projected to increase to approximately INR 45 lakh crore (USD 550 billion; 9.6% of GDP) by FY 2029, with public funding continuing to account for about 95% of this, according to a new study released on Thursday. The spending is rapidly growing in the healthcare segment, bolstered by higher post-pandemic allocations while education spending is expected to grow at a more moderate pace.

The report said India’s social sector funding has grown at a steady rate of ~13% over the last five years, approximately INR 25 lakh crore ($300 billion) in FY 2024. Despite this growth, the sector is ~INR 14 lakh crore ($170 billion) short of estimates by NITI Aayog. The gap is projected to increase to ~INR 16 lakh crore ($195 billion) by FY 2029.

According to the latest India Philanthropy Report 2025 (IPR) by Bain & Company and Dasra, private sector funding grew by a modest 7% in FY 2024, reaching INR 1.3 lakh crore ($16 billion). Looking ahead, private sector funding is expected to accelerate to 10% –12% annual growth over the next five years, largely driven by family philanthropy from ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs), high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), affluent individuals, and CSR.

“Private sector funding, particularly from India’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family-owned businesses, is not just about giving—it’s about driving transformative change. As we see an increasing number of families committing to long-term, strategic giving, the potential for this sector to address both underfunded and niche causes has never been greater. With the right support and infrastructure, private sector funding can play a central role in reshaping India’s social landscape, driving sustainable impact for generations to come,” said Arpan Sheth, partner at Bain & Company.

Family-owned/run businesses remain central to India’s CSR landscape, championing social responsibility long before the 2014 legal mandate. These businesses account for 65%-70% of private sector CSR spending annually—totaling approximately INR 18,000 crore ($2.2 billion), within the broader 85% contribution from private sector companies. Notably, the top 2% of family-owned/run businesses contribute 50%-55% of the total CSR funding from this segment, underscoring the outsized role of a few key players.

“For generations, families have shaped India’s progress through values-led giving. With the right support, families in India and the diaspora can scale high-impact nonprofits, drive social innovation, and position India as a global leader in development,” said Neera Nundy, co-founder and partner at Dasra, and co-author of the report.

CSR spending, including contributions from both private sector and family-owned/run firms, has increased its share of domestic private giving to 25% in FY24 from 23% in FY19 and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 10–12% over the next five years. On the other hand, overall giving from HNIs and affluent givers grew by 11% in FY24 driven by an increase in HNI and affluent population. Their giving is expected to grow at 12-14% annually over the next five years. In contrast, UHNIs—who typically donate in large blocks—are expected to see a faster annual growth rate of 22–24% over the same period.

Emerging insights from GivingPi, based on in-depth conversations with philanthropic families, highlight key shifts in the giving landscape. Families are increasingly supporting underfunded and niche causes such as gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI), climate action, arts & culture, and animal welfare. They are also strengthening the philanthropy infrastructure by investing in collaboratives and building narratives, sector capacity, and institutions.

Notably, 55% of families have women anchoring their giving priorities and 33% of families have Inter-gen and Now-gen givers shaping their philanthropy, signaling a shift towards more inclusive, diverse, and forward-thinking decision-making. Family philanthropy is also becoming more structured, with 65% of families employing dedicated staff to manage their philanthropy. Additionally, grant-making is emerging as the preferred approach, with 41% of families focusing solely on grant-making, while 23% combine grant-making with direct program implementation.

Growth in families’ wealth is reflected through a sevenfold growth in family offices from 45 in 2018 to 300 in 2024, which can build momentum towards institutionalized, multi-generational and value-driven philanthropy. Currently, 40% of philanthropy support organizations cater to families. More strategic services and structured support for family philanthropy could unlock INR 50,000-55,000 crore ($6–$7 billion) in additional family philanthropy over the next five years.

Beyond domestic giving, India’s growing diaspora — expanding from 18 million in 2019 to 35 million in 2024 — presents a significant opportunity to channel global philanthropic capital towards the country’s social sector. However, a lack of awareness and limited philanthropy infrastructure remain key barriers. Strengthening the philanthropy support ecosystem will be crucial in bridging these gaps and mobilizing greater contributions from both domestic and global donors.

As India emerges as a hub for scalable, cost-effective social innovation, patient and risk-tolerant - family philanthropic capital can be a powerful force. Strengthening philanthropy infrastructure will be key to unlocking this potential and advancing India’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.