Bengaluru: Karnataka has emerged as one of India’s richest states in the past decade. In 2024–25, it recorded the highest per capita income in the country at ₹2,04,605, nearly double the national average of ₹1,14,710, surpassing states like Tamil Nadu. This growth reflects the state’s diverse industries—Bengaluru as India’s IT and startup hub, Mangaluru as a trading centre, and Hubballi-Dharwad as an industrial belt.
The state’s economic strength is also visible in tax collections. In August 2025, Karnataka collected over ₹14,000 crore in GST, the second-highest in India.
Karnataka has produced some of India’s most influential business leaders. On the Forbes list of India’s 100 richest people, eight are from Karnataka. These individuals have built companies that shaped India’s IT, finance, biotech, real estate, infrastructure, and education sectors.
Top 10 Richest People in Karnataka (2025)
Azim Premji – $12.2 Billion.
- Founder of Wipro (Software services).
- Took over his family’s cooking oil business in 1966 and transformed it into Wipro, one of India’s largest software companies with $11.3 billion in revenue.
- Established an innovation hub in Silicon Valley and expanded Wipro globally.
- Married to Yasmeen; sons Rishad and Tariq.
- Known for a simple lifestyle, modest homes, and philanthropy through the Azim Premji Foundation, focused on education.
Nithin and Nikhil Kamath – $8.4 Billion.
Co-founders of Zerodha (Financial services).
- Founded Zerodha in 2010, now one of India’s largest stock brokerage firms.
- Run True Beacon for wealthy investors and incubator Rainmatter, supporting startups.
- Nikhil Kamath pledged in 2023 to give away much of his wealth to charity.
- Known for innovation in financial services and disrupting traditional stock trading in India.
Irfan Razack – $6 Billion.
- Chairman, Prestige Estates (Real Estate).
- Started in garments in 1986 and expanded into real estate, completing over 300 projects including offices, malls, luxury housing, and hotels.
- His brothers Rezwan and Noaman are also part of the company.
- Manages 92 million sq. ft. of ongoing development projects.
- Married; maintains a private lifestyle but owns luxury properties and cars.
N R Narayana Murthy – $5.3 Billion.
- Co-founder of Infosys (Software services).
- Led Infosys for decades and returned briefly in 2017 to address governance concerns.
- Advocates long working hours for young professionals to build skills and discipline.
- Married to Sudha Murthy; children Rohan & Akshata (married to former UK PM Rishi Sunak).
- Known for humility, integrity, and thought leadership in India’s IT revolution.
Senapathy “Kris” Gopalakrishnan – $4.35 Billion.
- Co-founder of Infosys (Software services); retired in 2014.
- Invests in startups through Axilor Ventures and other funds, supporting early-stage technology companies.
- Actively funds brain research and education, supporting centers at IISc and IIT Madras named after his wife.
- Married with one child; maintains a quiet lifestyle.
G M Rao – $3.99 Billion.
- Founder, GMR Group (Infrastructure and Airports).
- Operates airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Cebu; co-owner of Delhi Capitals IPL team.
- Started an aviation school with Airbus in Hyderabad in 2024 to train aviation professionals.
- Invested in transport infrastructure and airport modernization in India.
- Maintains private lifestyle; owns multiple properties and luxury vehicles.
Nandan Nilekani – $3.63 Billion.
- Co-founder of Infosys (Software services) and architect of Aadhaar.
- Returned as Infosys chairman in 2017; drives startup investments through Fundamentum.
- Donated $38 million to IIT Bombay in 2023.
- Married to Rohini; two children.
- Known for combining corporate leadership with public service and technology-driven social initiatives.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – $3.6 Billion.
- Founder of Biocon (Biopharmaceuticals).
- Established Biocon in 1978, expanded globally, including the US market.
- Acquired Viatris’ biosimilars business for $3.3 billion and launched cancer therapy spin-off Bicara, raising $362 million in Nasdaq IPO in 2024.
- Widowed; resides in Bengaluru and drives a Mercedes.
- One of India’s richest self-made women and a leader in biotech innovation and healthcare access.
Ranjan Pai – $2.8 Billion.
- Founder, Manipal Medical & Education Group.
- Expanded the group’s hospitals and universities across India.
- Focused on improving healthcare delivery and education infrastructure.
- Married; divides time between Manipal and Bengaluru, owns premium vehicles.
- Recognised for building one of India’s leading healthcare and education networks.
Vijay Sankeshwar – ₹10,000+ crore (estimated).
- Founder of VRL Group and media owner (Kannada newspapers and TV).
- Built India’s largest logistics company, starting from a single truck.
- Owns multiple homes in Hubballi and Bengaluru, multiple vehicles.
- Son Anand is involved in the family business.
- Influential in Karnataka’s transport and media sectors.
(Edited by : Vivek Dubey)
