MUMBAI: The Ambani family, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, holds a fortune of ₹28 lakh crore—over twice the wealth of the Adani family, which stands at ₹14.01 lakh crore, according to a report released Tuesday.
The 300 wealthiest Indian families together command assets worth over USD 1.6 trillion (₹140 lakh crore), accounting for more than 40% of the nation’s GDP. The Ambani family alone contributes 12% of GDP.
Over the past year, the Ambanis saw a 10% rise in wealth, retaining their position as India’s most valuable family business. The Adanis remain the richest first-generation business family.
Among multi-generational business families, the Kumar Mangalam Birla family climbed to second place after a 20% increase in wealth to ₹6.47 lakh crore. The Jindal family rose to third with a 21% jump to ₹5.70 lakh crore, while the Bajaj family slipped to fourth after a 21% decline to ₹5.64 lakh crore.
The top 300 families generated ₹7,100 crore in wealth per day last year. The number of billionaire families (wealth above USD 1 billion) grew by 37 to reach 161. Over a quarter of the listed families’ businesses remain privately held.
Manufacturing dominates the list, with 89% producing physical goods, while only 11% are service-based. The number of families hiring external CEOs rose by nine to 62. Mumbai leads with 91 wealthy families, followed by NCR (62) and Kolkata (25).
Barclays’ Private Bank head Nitin Singh noted that ₹130 lakh crore is expected to be transferred between generations in the next five years, with 71 families now running dedicated family offices.
Private equity is also increasing its footprint in family businesses, with deals like Temasek’s stake in Haldiram’s. About three-quarters of the top families saw their wealth grow last year.
However, 120 families—including Arvind (denim), Bharat Forge (truck axles), and Meril (medical devices)—face export risks worth billions due to U.S. tariffs rising to 50% in the next 12 months.
On philanthropy, the top families donated ₹5,100 crore last year, compared with their combined wealth of ₹134 lakh crore.
