29 unrecognized parties from Gujarat record ₹510 crore revenue, highest in FY 2024-25: ADR

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Twenty-nine registered unrecognized political parties (RUPPs) from Gujarat recorded the highest reported income of ₹510.41 crore during the financial year 2024–25. It was followed by ₹218.48 crore by 73 parties in Delhi and ₹173.36 crore by 23 RUPP in Rajasthan, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

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Together, these three states accounted for around 80.67% of the total reported revenue of ₹ 1,118.494 crore from all 734 RUPPs whose audit and contribution reports were available on the website of the respective state chief electoral officer.

The ADR report analyzes the status of submission of annual audit reports and reports on contributions of registered non-recognised parties for the financial year 2024-25, as well as their election results.

734 RUPPs in 34 States and Union Territories accounted for total income of ₹1,118.49 crore, total expenditure of ₹1,024.6 crore, total donations of ₹1,104.36 crore and donations of over ₹20,600 re.1,1,1,7

These 734 are 35% of the total RUPPs in 34 states and UTs in India. Both the annual audit reports and the contribution reports of a significant 65% or 1,330 of the total RUPP are not publicly available for FY 2024-2026.

Despite reporting income and donations amounting to thousands of crores, the RUPP has translated little of its financial strength into electoral success. The top 15 RUPPs won no seats in FY 2024-25, while from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25, the top 15 RUPPs collectively managed to win only one seat out of 35 contestants.

The top three earners were the Gujarat-based New India United Party, the Bharatiya National Janata Dal and the Rajasthan-based Bhartiya Garib Vikas Kalyan Party, accounting for ₹660.52 million, more than 67.82% of the total income declared by the reporting parties.

The maximum number of RUPPs whose declarations were available is in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Delhi and Bihar, as these states are among the top five states with the highest number of RUPPs.

The first 15 RUPPs declared ₹1,064.705 crore in high-value donations (above ₹20,000) and ₹973.93 crore in total income, yet won zero seats from all contested elections.

As per the rules, political parties are exempt from paying income tax if they file an income tax return and submit details of donations received above ₹20,000 per year to the Election Commission. Even if the parties declare that they have not received any amount in excess of ₹20,000 from a single donor, they would still be exempt.

A total of 808 RUPPs were disqualified by the Election Commission in two phases in August and September 2025 due to continuous non-contest for six years. The ECI said these parties will receive a show cause notice and an opportunity to be heard before a final decision is made.

Published – 29 Oct 2026 22:33 IST