New Delhi: India’s wealth story is changing as new industries join the traditional sectors that have historically created the country’s richest families.
For decades, major fortunes were closely linked to sectors such as commodities, manufacturing, energy, construction and finance. Today, technology, digital platforms, healthcare, retail and startups are becoming increasingly important sources of wealth.
Forbes’ 2025 list of India’s richest people placed Mukesh Ambani at the top with an estimated $105 billion, followed by Gautam Adani and family at $92 billion. But the list also included major fortunes built in technology, healthcare, finance and retail.
India has also developed one of the world’s largest billionaire populations. The country’s expanding economy, rising company valuations and growing capital markets have created conditions in which business owners can accumulate wealth at unprecedented speed.
The startup ecosystem is particularly important for the next generation.
Indian startups are now operating in sectors ranging from fintech and e-commerce to AI, space technology, enterprise software and healthcare. More than 3,600 deeptech startups are estimated to be operating in India, reflecting the shift toward technology-intensive businesses.
But wealth creation is not limited to startups.
Traditional business families are also adapting to new opportunities. The Aditya Birla Group, for example, is expanding its financial-services operations and renewable-energy presence. Aditya Birla Capital plans to build a large gold-loan network, while the group is also pursuing growth in clean energy.
The rise of manufacturing is another important factor.
India is attempting to build stronger domestic capabilities in electronics, semiconductors, batteries and other advanced industries. In August 2026, the government approved 31 proposals worth ₹7,877 crore under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme.
This could create new companies and new fortunes around components, design, manufacturing and industrial technology.
AI could become another major wealth creator. Large businesses are investing billions in data centres, while startups are building products on top of new AI models.
The important change is that wealth creation is becoming more diverse.
A founder no longer necessarily needs to own factories, mines or large physical assets. A software company can serve customers worldwide with relatively limited physical infrastructure. At the same time, companies that successfully combine technology with manufacturing could create even larger businesses.
