Tata Trusts’ spending on philanthropic activities rose 72.5% to Rs 1,556.31 crore in 2025-26, Noel Tata’s first full financial year as chairman, with rural upliftment, education and cancer care accounting for the largest share of institutional funding.
The total was up from Rs 902.32 crore in 2024-25, according to the Trusts’ annual report.
Institutional grants and direct project spending amounted to Rs 1,353.32 crore, while assistance to individuals totalled Rs 202.99 crore.
Rural upliftment received Rs 457.62 crore, the largest allocation among institutional projects, followed by education at Rs 270.26 crore and cancer care at Rs 178.46 crore.
Healthcare received Rs 105.97 crore, while water and sanitation accounted for Rs 59.04 crore and nutrition for Rs 57.64 crore.
Medical assistance accounted for Rs 143.30 crore of individual grants, while education-related assistance stood at Rs 59.38 crore.
In his message accompanying the report, Noel Tata said the Trusts would focus increasingly on building institutions and models capable of becoming enduring public assets.
He stressed the need to measure philanthropy through lasting, measurable outcomes rather than simply the amount spent or the number of people reached.
The Trusts are also working towards a network of 40-50 not-for-profit general hospitals across India, with a model designed to make quality treatment accessible to people unable to afford it.
The year also brought changes to the boards of the Trusts’ principal entities.
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Mehli Mistry ceased to be a trustee of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust on October 28, 2025. Neville Tata and Bhaskar Bhat joined the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust board on November 12, 2025, when Venu Srinivasan was reappointed. Pramit Jhaveri’s term ended on February 11, 2026.
Tata Trusts hold about 66% of Tata Sons, the group’s holding company, and rely substantially on dividends to fund philanthropic activities.
For 2024-25, Tata Sons recommended a dividend payout of Rs 2,622.91 crore, of which about Rs 1,731 crore was due to the Trusts.