New Delhi: The Hurun India Rich List 2024, unveiled on Tuesday, has shed light on the evolving landscape of wealth, with notable figures such as Indian entrepreneurs Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani garnering attention for their significant financial achievements.
Gautam Adani, the visionary behind the Adani Group, has emerged as the frontrunner for this year's list, overtaking Mukesh Ambani, who serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). Adani's financial prowess has propelled him to the zenith, amassing a wealth estimated at approximately Rs 11.6 lakh crore, marking a 95 per cent increase from his previous standing.
The list indicates that Mukesh Ambani and his family have amassed a wealth of Rs 10.1 lakh crore, securing the third position. The Shiv Nadar family has clinched the third spot in the Hurun India Rich List 2024.
Furthermore, the vaccine manufacturer Cyrus S. Poonawalla and his family have secured the fourth position, followed by Dilip Shanghvi of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries.
Over the preceding five years, a select group of individuals has consistently maintained their presence in the India Top 10. At the pinnacle of this group is Gautam Adani and his family, closely followed by Mukesh Ambani and his family, Shiv Nadar, Cyrus S. Poonawalla and his family, Gopichand Hinduja and his family, and Radhakishan Damani and his family.
The report also highlights that the number of Indian billionaires has increased to 334, with their collective wealth surpassing Rs 159 lakh crore. This figure is more than the combined GDP of Saudi Arabia and Switzerland and represents over half of India's GDP.
"India continues to excel in the 'Wealth Creation Olympics'. The number of billionaires in the 2024 Hurun India Rich List marks a triple century, with all sectors of the top 20 adding new faces to the list! The top 20 sectors have all seen new faces, showcasing the relentless spirit of Indian entrepreneurs in driving growth across various sectors," Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher at Hurun India, remarked.
It is noteworthy that the founders of several startups have also been included in the list.
A total of 55 technology startup founders, with a combined wealth of Rs 2,87,100 crore, have been featured in the Hurun Rich India list. These individuals, on average, are 40 years old, demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit and financial success of Indian startups.
The youngest individual on the list is Kaivalya Vohra, who at the age of 21, serves as the co-founder of Zepto, a startup valued at USD 5 billion. Remarkably, Vohra is the second youngest co-founder among the list.
Neha Bansal, the co-founder of Lenskart, a company specializing in eyewear retail, stands out as the youngest self-made female entrepreneur on the list at the age of 42.
This year, a total of 52 founders from 29 unicorns have been recognized in the prestigious list.
Junaid, in his statement, highlighted India's emergence as a key engine for wealth creation in Asia. Despite a 25% decline in the number of billionaires in China, India has seen a significant increase of 29%, reaching a record high of 334 billionaires. This year's Hurun India Rich List boasts 1,539 entries, representing a diverse array of wealth creators. This includes family-owned businesses, startup founders, private equity investors, angel investors, next-generation leaders, and celebrities from the film industry, among others. The narratives within the Hurun India Rich List not only reflect the current dynamics of India's economy but also offer insights into its future direction, describing it as "exciting."
