Number of billionaires in India rises to 229:Forbes World’s Billionaires list 2026 features PhysicsWallah founder for 1st time, Paytm’s makes comeback

According to Forbes World’s Billionaires list 2026, India has gained 24 billionaires within a year. Their number has increased from 205 to 229. The country’s fourth richest person Lakshmi Mittal saw the sharpest rise in wealth this year. With his company ArcelorMittal’s shares rising over 80%, his total wealth has reached $31 billion, or ₹2.87 lakh crore. In the last one year, his wealth has increased by $20 billion, or ₹1.85 lakh crore. This means Mittal has earned a record average of ₹274 crore per day throughout the year. PhysicsWala founder Alakh Pandey and Prateek Boob have also made it to this list. Uday Kotak’s New Entry in Top-10 Savitri Jindal, Chairperson of OP Jindal Group, is at number three. She remains India’s richest woman. The list includes 20 Indian women billionaires. Kotak Mahindra Bank founder Uday Kotak has entered the top-10 this year. He recently received the Padma Bhushan. With his entry, DLF’s property developer Kushal Pal Singh slipped to 12th position. Paytm Founder Returns to List After 3 Years Physicswala edtech platform founder Alakh Pandey and Prateek Boob are also among the new billionaires. They joined this club after the company’s IPO in November. Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma has returned to the list after three years. Paytm shares rose about 60% last year, though they are still trading at about half the IPO price. Forbes India’s Rich List First Came Out in 2009 Forbes India launched its first Rich List in 2009. This list is prepared based on shareholding and financial information received from families and individuals, stock exchanges, analysts and market data. Net worth is calculated in US dollar