Gautam Adani relaims top spot on M3M Hurun India rich list

Gautam Adani has reclaimed the top spot as India’s richest, edging out Mukesh Ambani, on the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026.

After being placed second last year, Gautam Adani & family, with a wealth of Rs 9.23 lakh crore ($96 billion), are now in the number one position with a gain of 13%, followed by Mukesh & family at Rs 8.63 lakh crore ($90 billion), marking a 10% decline.

The third place was taken by LN Mittal & family of ArcelorMittal, climbing eight places as their wealth rose 93% to Rs 3.39 lakh crore.

Among sectors, artificial intelligence entered the wealth-creation list this year, with 19 entrants (entrepreneurs) worth a combined Rs 3.07 lakh crore; 15 of them are new to the list.

“The 2026 M3M Hurun India Rich List reflects the depth and dynamism of India’s wealth-creation story. With 70% of the 1,810 individuals being self-made and 347 new entrants, it is clear that India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to expand and diversify, with growing participation from younger entrepreneurs and women,” said Payal Bansal Kanodia, Promoter M3M India & Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation.

The M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026 finds 1,810 individuals with wealth of Rs 1,000 crore or more—up 128 from last year and 803 more than five years ago. Their combined wealth stands at Rs 187.5 lakh crore ($1.96 trillion), a 12.8% rise and roughly half of India's GDP.

India now has a record 391 dollar billionaires, up from 237 five years ago. It added 27 new billionaires over the past year.

“The scale of change since 2012 is extraordinary. The entry threshold for the Top 10 has risen more than six-fold, from Rs 30,800 crore to Rs 1.89 lakh crore. For the Top 100, it has risen more than eighteen-fold, from Rs 1,800 crore to Rs 33,000 crore. Entering the Top 500 now requires Rs 7,000 crore. Even at the original Rs 1,800 crore threshold, the number of qualifying individuals has grown from 100 to 1,307. India’s wealth base has become substantially broader and deeper,” said Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher, Hurun India.

A record of 1,266 entrepreneurs— 70% of the list—are self-made, up from 1,109 last year and 55% five years ago. With 465 individuals, Mumbai tops the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026 with 465 individuals, followed by New Delhi (236) and Bengaluru (129). Mumbai alone is home to 93 dollar billionaires.

The list also features 131 women, including 33 dollar billionaires—up from 100 last year.