For the first time in history, an Indian woman has broken into the Top 10 of the Hurun Global Rich List of Women—a powerful testament to the shifting dynamics of wealth creation in India.
Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCLTech, now stands among the world’s most influential self-made and inherited billionaires, joining the ranks of Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, Julia Koch, and Alice Walton. Her ascent is more than just a milestone; it marks a generational shift in India’s business landscape—one where women are not just inheriting legacies but transforming them, driving innovation, and scaling businesses to global heights.
A New Wave of Female Wealth Creators
Roshni Nadar is just the beginning. A new generation of women leaders in India is poised to leave a lasting global impact:
- Isha Ambani – Redefining retail and digital ecosystems at Reliance.
- Nisaba Godrej – Steering Godrej Consumer Products with bold ESG and purpose-led strategies.
- Pia Singh – Revolutionizing Indian real estate with DLF’s luxury and commercial portfolio.
This shift is repositioning India on the global map of next-gen female wealth creators. It’s no longer just about legacy—it’s about vision, leadership, and execution at scale.
India’s Billionaire Landscape: Rising to Global Prominence
The Hurun Global Rich List 2025 reveals a fascinating evolution in India’s billionaire landscape. While India now ranks third globally in billionaire count (284 billionaires), its total billionaire wealth has surged to ₹98 trillion—roughly one-third of the nation’s GDP.
Key Trends & Insights from the 2025 Hurun Global Rich List:
- India’s Wealth Boom: The combined wealth of Indian billionaires has now surpassed the entire GDP of Saudi Arabia.
- The Rise & Fall: Among India’s 284 billionaires, 175 saw their wealth rise, while 109 experienced a decline or stagnation.
- New Entrants: India added 13 new billionaires in 2025, reflecting the country’s dynamic startup and business ecosystem.
India’s Top 3 Billionaires in 2025:
- Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries) – ₹8.6 trillion
- Gautam Adani (Adani Group) – ₹8.4 trillion
- Roshni Nadar Malhotra (HCLTech) – ₹3.5 trillion
India’s Tech Founders: The Youngest Billionaires
The country’s startup ecosystem has also minted some of the world’s youngest billionaires. Razorpay co-founders Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur, both 34, now stand among India’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, with a net worth of ₹8,643 crore each. Their journey—from struggling with online payment challenges to building a fintech powerhouse—reflects India’s rapid digital transformation.
Global Wealth Power Shifts: Who’s Leading the World?
While India’s wealth landscape is on the rise, global power rankings have seen dramatic shifts.
- Mukesh Ambani has dropped out of the world’s top 10 richest due to a ₹1 lakh crore decline in wealth.
- Elon Musk remains the world’s richest person, followed by Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos.
- Shanghai has overtaken Mumbai as Asia’s billionaire capital, while Bengaluru and Pune emerge as India’s new wealth hubs.
A Future Defined by Innovation & Leadership
India’s billionaire story is evolving. The rise of next-gen leaders like Roshni Nadar and the increasing dominance of tech entrepreneurs signal a future where innovation, digital transformation, and bold leadership will shape India’s place on the global economic stage.
At Hurun India, we believe this is just the start of a generational wave of women-led enterprise and next-gen wealth creators.
Here’s to more Roshni Nadars. Here’s to a bolder, more balanced, and brilliant future for India.
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