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Top 5 richest people in India (July 2025): Their combined net worth can't match Elon Musk's fortune
List of India's richest people: India is home to some of the richest people in the world, with billionaires leading industries ranging from energy and telecom to pharmaceuticals and technology. But despite their vast fortunes, even the top 5 richest people in India fall short when compared to Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest man, according to Forbes.
As of today, July 17, 2025, the combined net worth of India's richest people is around $279.5 billion—far less than Elon Musk's staggering wealth of $400.7 billion, according to Forbes. Let's take a look at the top Indian billionaires and how they've built their empires.
India's Billionaire Boom in 2025
India has seen a strong rise in the number of billionaires. According to Hurun's Global Rich List (March 2025), the country now has 284 billionaires — 13 more than last year. In 2022, India had 249 billionaires, but the number dropped to 187 in 2023 due to market disruptions. However, the country made a big comeback in 2024 with 276 billionaires. This steady growth now makes India the world's third-largest hub for billionaires, after the USA and China.
The collective wealth of these tycoons stands at an eye-watering Rs 91.35 lakh crore ($1,067,582.93 million), surpassing even the GDP of Saudi Arabia. This rise marks a 10% increase year-on-year, showcasing the strength and expansion of Indian enterprise.
Top 5 Richest People in India (July 2025)
1. Mukesh Ambani – $112 Billion
Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, continues to be the richest person in India in July 2025 with a net worth of $112 billion. He is also the only Asian featured in Forbes' exclusive $100 billion club.
Reliance operates across major sectors like oil refining, retail, digital services, and 5G technology. Ambani is also investing heavily in green energy and telecom, helping him stay at the top of India's richest people list.
2. Gautam Adani – $68.4 Billion
Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group, is the second richest person in India with a net worth of $68.4 billion. Although his wealth has dropped since 2024, he remains one of the strongest business leaders in India's infrastructure sector.
His group runs key assets like ports, airports, power stations, and renewable energy plants. The Adani Foundation, led by his wife Priti Adani, works on various social projects across the country.
3. Savitri Jindal & Family – $37.8 Billion
Savitri Jindal, chairperson emeritus of the O.P. Jindal Group, is India's richest woman with a net worth of $37.8 billion. She took charge of the family business after the passing of her husband, Om Prakash Jindal.
Her four sons manage different sectors of the group, which focuses on steel, power, cement, and infrastructure. The group also promotes sports in India through JSW Sports.
4. Shiv Nadar – $34.6 Billion
Padma Bhushan Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, ranks fourth on the list of the richest people in India, with a net worth of $34.6 billion. He played a key role in building India's IT sector, and HCL now serves global giants like Microsoft, Cisco, and Boeing.
He is also known for his charitable work, donating over Rs 1,100 crore in 2022 to support education and development.
5. Dilip Shanghvi – $26.7 Billion
Dilip Shanghvi, founder of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, is the fifth richest Indian in 2025, with a net worth of $26.7 billion. Sun Pharma became the first Indian pharmaceutical company to cross a $5 billion valuation under his leadership.
A major milestone in his journey was the $4 billion acquisition of Ranbaxy Laboratories in 2014, which helped Sun Pharma become a global pharmaceutical leader.
Elon Musk vs India's Billionaires: The Huge Wealth Gap
While India's top five billionaires are extremely wealthy and powerful, their combined fortune of $279.5 billion still falls short of Elon Musk's net worth, which is $400.7 billion as per Forbes.
The Tesla and SpaceX founder continues to top the global rich list, with a gap of over $120 billion between him and India's richest people combined.
The richest people in India continue to shape the nation's economic future, leading global businesses and fuelling innovation. While they may not have reached Elon Musk's net worth just yet, their influence and legacy in Indian and global markets are undeniable.
Stay tuned as India's richest individuals evolve and new names rise to the top of the Forbes billionaires list.
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