Gujarat registered unrecognised parties record highest income of ₹510 crore in FY 2024-25, finds ADR report

Twenty-nine registered unrecognised political parties from Gujarat reported the highest income of ₹510.41 crore in the financial year 2024-25, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms. Delhi followed with 73 parties recording ₹218.48 crore, and Rajasthan had 23 such parties recording ₹173.36 crore. Together, these three states accounted for about 80.67% of the total reported income of ₹1,118.494 crore from 734 parties whose audit and contribution reports were available on state chief electoral officer websites. Across 34 states and union territories, 734 parties reported a total income of ₹1,118.49 crore, total spending of ₹1,024.6 crore, total donations of ₹1,104.36 crore, and donations above ₹20,000 amounting to ₹1,199.876 crore. These 734 groups make up 35% of all such parties across the country, while reports for the remaining 65% or 1,330 parties are not available in the public domain. Despite having high incomes and large donations, these groups won very few elections. The top 15 parties won no seats in 2024-25, and between 2020-21 and 2024-25, the top 15 parties together won only one seat out of 35 contested. The top three earners were the Gujarat-based New India United Party, Bharatiya National Janata Dal, and the Rajasthan-based Bhartiya Garib Vikas Kalyan Party, which together accounted for ₹660.52 crore.

Context

Political parties in India enjoy income tax exemptions if they file their returns and submit details of donations above ₹20,000 to the Election Commission every year. The Election Commission previously delisted 808 such parties in August and September 2025 for not contesting elections over a period of six years.