Wealth Wars: Gautam Adani Overtakes Mukesh Ambani to Claim Top Spot

In a significant shift in India’s wealth landscape, Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, has surpassed Mukesh Ambani, owner of Reliance Industries, to become the country’s richest individual. According to the 2024 list of India’s wealthiest people released by research and investment group Huron, Adani’s net worth has soared to a staggering INR 11.6 lakh crore.

Adani’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming India’s richest man is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit. In a previous interview, he revealed that he started his career with a modest job and commuted by train and public transport before eventually affording a motorcycle.

The Huron report highlights a significant increase in the number of Indian billionaires, with 334 individuals now holding wealth exceeding INR 1,000 crore. The total wealth of these individuals has risen by 46%, with an average increase of 25%. Notably, the list includes 21-year-old Kaivalya Vohra as the youngest billionaire.

Other prominent names in the top rankings include Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, at third position with INR 3.14 lakh crore, and Cyrus S. Poonawalla, founder of the Serum Institute of India, at fourth position.