Anuradha and Anand Mahindra fulfil ₹500 crore pledge to Mahindra University with ₹300 crore M&M shares

Anand Mahindra and his wife Anuradha Mahindra have completed their personal ₹500 crore pledge to Mahindra University, with their latest contribution comprising Mahindra & Mahindra shares valued at approximately ₹300 crore.

The contribution, announced by Mahindra University on Wednesday, comes along with earlier endowments and fulfils the personal pledge made by Anand Mahindra and his family in March 2024. The pledge was aimed at supporting the university's mission of promoting interdisciplinary academic excellence and developing multi-skilled leaders committed to inclusive and sustainable progress.

₹300 crore share contribution

The latest endowment is being made through shares of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Together with the earlier contributions, the latest transfer takes the total value of the family's contribution to the university to the pledged ₹500 crore.

The funds will support the university's educational and charitable objectives, including infrastructure, scholarships, research grants, student aid and academic operations.

The original pledge was publicly announced on March 27, 2024, with the university saying it was intended to strengthen its efforts in interdisciplinary education and leadership development.

‘Real legacy lies in what one gives back’

In a joint personal note, Anuradha and Anand Mahindra said education has remained an important family value and linked the contribution to their broader view of legacy.

“Education has always been a core value in our family. We have long believed that real legacy lies in what one gives back to society and in the opportunities one creates for the next generation. That belief led us to make our pledge to Mahindra University in March 2024.”

They said the university had made progress since the pledge, including expanding into new disciplines, bringing together students and faculty from India and abroad, and building partnerships with universities around the world.

Focus on India’s future

The Mahindras said the quality of India's universities would play an important role in shaping the country's future.

“India’s future will be shaped by the quality of its universities and the knowledge, values and confidence of its young people. Mahindra University was created to educate future citizens for and of a better world. We remain deeply committed to that purpose and to the University’s continuing journey.”

Mahindra University, Hyderabad, was established in May 2020 and currently offers more than 50 programmes across seven schools and eight centres at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Its academic offerings span engineering, management, law, design, hospitality, media and education.

The university also has collaborations with institutions including Cornell, Monash, Babson, Virginia Tech and Centrale Supélec, as well as industry partnerships with companies including Airbus and Dr Reddy’s.