The 2026 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List showcases the growing achievements of women across various sectors and has expanded to include 12 categories across five key areas: wealth creation, value creation, impact, culture, and startups. The list features 117 women, an increase from 97 in 2025, highlighting a broad range of contributions.
Priya Nair is noted as the new chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD) of Hindustan Unilever, while Roshni Nadar Malhotra from HCLTech leads the wealth multipliers category with a net worth of ₹2,84,120 crore. Notable figures on the list also include Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Banu Mushtaq, Falguni Nayar, Sudha Murty, Olympian P V Sindhu, and Paralympian Avani Lekhara.
Anas Rahman Junaid, the founder and chief researcher at Hurun India, indicated that the list’s evolution reflects the increasing representation of women in leadership roles, especially in venture capital and artificial intelligence. He emphasized the potential for future expansion, including tracking next-generation leaders and venture capitalists who are making significant strides in providing opportunities for women.
The selection process for honorees varied by category. For instance, the Heartland Founders category considered businesses from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, while the Wealth Multipliers category focused on those whose net worth grew in 2025 compared to 2024. Notably, the list also highlights a diverse age range, with para-archer Sheetal Devi at 19 being the youngest and industrialist Rajni Bector at 89 being the oldest.
The collective valuation of the 117 women featured on the list amounts to ₹39 trillion, reflecting the increasing significance of women in high-value sectors.
Why this story matters
- The list highlights the substantial contributions of women in various fields, promoting their visibility and influence.
Key takeaway
- Women’s representation in leadership, particularly in traditionally male-dominated sectors like venture capital and AI, is on the rise.
Opposing viewpoint
- Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in certain sectors, indicating continued barriers to equal participation in leadership roles.
