New Delhi, June 25 -- Despite dismal earnings growth in FY25, Indian companies handed out a record Rs.4.9 trillion in dividends-the highest in at least a decade-with promoters pocketing more than half the bounty.

According to a Mint analysis of 496 companies from the BSE 500, based on Capitaline data (which includes both audited and unaudited figures, along with proposed dividends), promoters across public, private, and multinational corporations collectively received Rs.2.5 trillion, or 51.5% of the total dividends declared.

Of this, private-sector promoters took home Rs.1.34 trillion (with a 53% share), a sharp 36% rise from the previous year. Foreign parents of MNCs mopped 20% more. The government, as a promoter of public sector unde...