Winning Bizness Desk

The combined wealth of India’s top 100 richest individuals has crossed ₹90 lakh crore for the first time, reaching ₹93.64 lakh crore this year. According to Forbes' report "India's 100 Richest 2024," this marks a staggering 40% increase in just one year and a doubling of wealth compared to 2020. The wealth of these top industrialists grew by ₹26.50 lakh crore in 2023 alone. An interesting trend this year is that the stock market's rise has played a more significant role in increasing their fortunes than their companies' profits. The Sensex, for instance, surged by 30% in the last year. Notably, the wealth surge of India’s top 100 richest individuals highlights the growing influence of market performance on personal fortunes and underscores the continued dominance of industrialists like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani in the country’s economic landscape.

Adani’s Rise Outpaces Ambani Despite Second Rank

Gautam Adani, the Chairman of Adani Group, retained his position as the second richest individual in India. However, his wealth saw a significant jump of ₹4 lakh crore in just one year, bringing his total fortune to ₹97.41 lakh crore. Adani's financial ascent outpaced that of Mukesh Ambani, though the latter remains the wealthiest individual in the country.

Savitri Jindal Ranks Third

Savitri Jindal, chairperson of the OP Jindal Group, climbed to the third spot, with her wealth increasing by 82% in the past year. Her net worth reached ₹3.67 lakh crore, reflecting the sharp gains that several industrialists have experienced in the past 12 months.

Mukesh Ambani Continues to Lead India’s Wealthiest

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani once again claimed the title of India’s richest industrialist. His wealth grew by ₹2.3 lakh crore, bringing his total to more than ₹10 lakh crore. This growth places Ambani as the 13th richest person globally, cementing his dominance in India’s wealth hierarchy. Despite his substantial increase in wealth, he ranked second in terms of wealth gain over the past year, trailing behind Gautam Adani. The report indicates that more than 80% of the individuals on the list have seen their fortunes grow in 2024, with 58 people increasing their wealth by at least $1 billion (approximately ₹8,397 crore). This reflects a robust year for India’s wealthiest, driven largely by the stock market’s performance and the expansion of key industries across the country.