New Delhi: INC received a total of Rs 130.7 crore as donations of more than Rs 20 thousand in 2025-26. This amount is about 75 percent less than the Rs 517.4 crore received in 2024-25. According to the party’s contribution report submitted to the Election Commission, Prudent Electoral Trust was the largest institutional donor to the Congress in the last financial year. He gave Rs 25 crore, which is about 19 percent of the total donations received by the party.
How much did donations decrease compared to last year?
In 2024-25, Congress had received contributions of more than Rs 20,000 worth Rs 517.4 crore. That year, the Prudent Electoral Trust had given Rs 216 crore to the party, 41.8 per cent of total contributions. In comparison, the Trust’s contribution reduced to Rs 25 crore in 2025-26. This is about 88.5 percent less than last year.
What was the impact of the election year?
2024-25 was the year of Lok Sabha elections. In such election years, an increase in donations to political parties can be seen. According to the report, Congress’s contribution that year had increased by 84 percent compared to 2023-24. However, the donation of Rs 130.7 crore received by the party in 2025-26 was about 53 percent less than the amount for 2023-24.
Why did donations decrease despite assembly elections?
Bihar Assembly elections were held in 2025-26 and elections were held in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry in April 2026. Despite this, there was a decline in major donations received by Congress. Available data show a decline, but they do not in themselves determine its causes. Possible contexts could be electoral performance, donor preferences and election year effects; These cannot be considered as proven reasons for decline.
How important was the role of big donors?
Apart from Prudent Trust, Star Cement Limited gave Rs 5 crore, Sajjan Bhajanka gave Rs 4 crore and Afnan Constructions gave Rs 3 crore. Prem Kumar Bhajanka contributed Rs 2 crore, while Ipsum ProAdvisors and SMS Builders contributed Rs 1 crore each. According to the report, only nine contributions of Rs 1 crore or more totalled about Rs 43 crore, almost one-third of the total donations received.
How much was received from small donations?
The report records 1,321 contributions of Rs 5 lakh or less. A total of Rs 37.2 crore was received from these, which is about 28.5 percent of the total donation of Rs 130.7 crore. The report puts the median value of 1,735 contributions at Rs 3 lakh. When the party’s audit report for 2025-26 becomes available, apart from donations, the picture of income from coupon sales and other sources will also be revealed. Congress had received more than Rs 350 crore from issuing and selling coupons in 2024-25.
