Prudent Electoral Trust: India's Top Political Donor After Electoral Bonds Ban

• Prudent Electoral Trust, established by Bharti Enterprises in 2013, is now India's most influential political funding channel after the Electoral Bond ban.
• It collects funds from corporates like Bharti Airtel, DLF, Hero MotoCorp, and distributes at least 95% to political parties annually.
• Operated by independent professionals, but real control is believed to be with the Bharti Group.
• Since 2013, it has raised over ₹5,000 crore; historically, about 80% of its funds go to the BJP.
• In 2024-25, it distributed an estimated ₹2,668 crore, with ₹2,180 crore to BJP and ₹216 crore to Congress.

Why It Matters: Prudent Electoral Trust is now the dominant force in Indian political funding, largely benefiting the BJP.