New Delhi – In the first full year after the Supreme Court scrapped the electoral bonds scheme, electoral trusts have stepped in as the main way for big companies to give money to political parties. Nine active trusts told the Election Commission of India (ECI) that they gave a total of Rs 3,811 crore to parties in the financial year 2024-2025. This is more than three times the Rs 1,218 crore given in the previous year.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is ruling at the Centre, got the biggest share – over Rs 3,112 crore, or about 82 percent of the total. The Congress party received Rs 299 crore, which is less than 8 percent. Other parties together got around Rs 400 crore.
These numbers come from reports that the trusts submitted to the ECI by December 20, 2025. Electoral trusts are special bodies set up to collect donations from companies and people, and then pass them on to political parties. They have to tell who gave money and who got it, making things more open than the old electoral bonds.
Big Jump in Donations Through Trusts
The Supreme Court ended the electoral bonds in February 2024 because they let people give money without names coming out. After that, companies quickly turned to electoral trusts. In 2023-2024, trusts gave Rs 1,218 crore, but now in 2024-2025, it has jumped to Rs 3,811 crore.
Prudent Electoral Trust gave the most – Rs 2,668 crore in total. Out of this, about 82 percent or Rs 2,180 crore went to the BJP. Some money also went to Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and others.
Big companies like Jindal Steel, Megha Engineering, Bharti Airtel, DLF, and others gave to Prudent Trust.
The second big trust was Progressive Electoral Trust, linked to Tata group companies. It collected Rs 917 crore and gave Rs 915 crore to parties. More than 80 percent went to the BJP.
Other trusts like Triumph, New Democratic, and Harmony also gave money, mostly to the BJP.
How Electoral Trusts Work
Electoral trusts are allowed under a scheme from 2013. Any company or person in India can give money to these trusts. The trust has to give at least 95 percent of the money to registered political parties. They keep only 5 percent for running costs.
Trusts have to report every donation they get, with the donor’s name and PAN, and also say which party got how much. This is sent to the income tax department and the ECI. It makes things clearer than before.
But some people say it is still not fully open because we do not know exactly which company’s money went to which party if there are many donors.
BJP Gets the Lion’s Share
The BJP got more than four-fifths of all trust money. This is similar to how it got most of the electoral bonds earlier.
Experts say companies like to give to the party in power because they want good ties for business.
Congress leaders have said this shows money power in elections is not fair. A Congress spokesperson said, “Big companies are giving huge amounts to one party. This hurts level playing field for all parties.”
The BJP has not given a direct comment on these numbers yet. But earlier, party leaders have said all donations are legal and reported properly.
What Experts and Watchdogs Say
Groups like Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) watch political funding. They say the jump shows electoral trusts have filled the gap left by bonds.
An ADR report said, “After bonds went, trusts became the new way. But we need more rules so everyone knows exact links between donors and parties.”
Some say trusts are better because names come out, unlike bonds.
Questions on Fair Funding as Elections Near
Many states have elections coming soon, like Delhi, Bihar and others. With so much money going to one party, questions are rising about fair chances for others.
Opposition parties say the government should bring new laws for full openness in funding. They want a cap on how much companies can give and more public funding for parties.
The ECI has said it is watching all reports closely.
More Money from Direct Donations Too
Trusts are one way, but parties also get direct money from companies and people. The full picture will come when parties submit their yearly reports.
For now, these trust numbers show corporate money is flowing big to politics again.
What This Means for Indian Politics
Clean money in elections is important for fair democracy. The end of bonds was a step for more openness. Now, trusts are doing the job, but many want even better rules.
As India gets ready for more elections, how parties get and spend money will be watched closely by people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are electoral trusts?
Electoral trusts are special non-profit groups set up to collect donations from Indian companies and people. They then give the money to political parties. At least 95 percent must go to parties. They are made under a 2013 scheme to make funding more open.
Why did donations through trusts increase so much?
The Supreme Court stopped electoral bonds in February 2024 because they were secret. Companies needed another way to give big amounts, so they used trusts. Donations jumped from Rs 1,218 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 3,811 crore in 2024-25.
How much did BJP get from these trusts?
The BJP got over Rs 3,112 crore, which is about 82 percent of the total Rs 3,811 crore.
How much did Congress get?
Congress received Rs 299 crore, less than 8 percent of the total.
Which was the biggest electoral trust?
Prudent Electoral Trust gave Rs 2,668 crore, with most going to BJP. Progressive Electoral Trust, linked to Tata companies, gave about Rs 915 crore, again mostly to BJP.
Are electoral trusts fully transparent?
They are better than bonds because donor names and party shares are reported. But if many companies give to one trust, we cannot match exact donor to exact party.
What did companies give to Prudent Trust?
Companies like Jindal Steel, Megha Engineering, Bharti Airtel, DLF and others gave big amounts.
Will this affect upcoming elections?
Many say yes, because more money can help in campaigns. Opposition calls it unfair advantage to ruling party.
What next for political funding reforms?
Experts want caps on corporate donations, more state funding for parties, and full link between donor and party.