List of Beneficiaries
Touted as a tool for transparency in election funding, Electoral bonds, generated donations worth over ₹9,188 crore for all political parties, put together between 2016-22. Among all the parties, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) earned 57 per cent of the total donations generated through electoral bonds, according to data released by the ECI.
Between 2016-17 and 2021-22, the last year for which the data is available, seven national parties and 24 regional parties received a total donation of ₹9,188.35 crore through electoral bonds.
Emerging as the biggest beneficiary of electoral bonds donations, the BJP received ₹5,272 crore and the Congress received ₹952 crore, while the rest went to other parties.
Date of Encashment |
Name of the Political Party |
Denomination |
Electoral Bonds serve as a revolutionary financial instrument in India's political funding landscape, offering a structured path for companies and individuals to donate to political parties anonymously. This innovative scheme benefits political entities by ensuring a steady, transparent stream of financial support without disclosing donor identities, thereby protecting contributors from potential political backlash. It aligns with the digital India initiative, promoting cleaner, more accountable electoral financing. Parties receive funds through a formal banking channel, enhancing financial transparency and reducing the influence of unaccounted cash in politics. Electoral Bonds stand as a testament to India's commitment towards strengthening democracy through responsible political funding.
While Electoral Bonds aim to streamline political funding in India, they've sparked concerns over transparency and fairness. Critics argue that by allowing donors to remain anonymous, the scheme obscures the source of political contributions, potentially paving the way for unchecked influence by wealthy corporations and individuals on government policies and decisions. This anonymity contradicts the principles of transparency in democratic processes, as voters are left in the dark about who is financing political parties. Furthermore, the absence of caps on donation amounts could tilt the political playing field in favor of larger, more established parties, potentially undermining the competitive balance essential for a healthy democracy. The Electoral Bonds scheme, despite its intentions, raises significant questions about accountability and equity in political financing.
Top Beneficiaries: BJP tops in electoral bond encashment with over Rs 6,000 crore: EC data
Political parties that have encashed the bonds include the BJP, the Congress, the TMC, the BJD, the DMK, the AIADMK, the BRS, the TDP, the Shiv Sena, the NCP, the JD(S), the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Samajwadi Party and the Bihar Pradesh JD (U).
All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured the second spot, receiving Rs 1,609.50 crore via electoral bonds. Congress occupied the third spot, collecting Rs 1,421.9 crore through this route
Redeeming Party |
Denomination |