Highest Executive Earnings in India in 2024 Reveal a Shift Toward Strategic Leadership
- Atharava Agnihotri
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
Updated: May 12
The year 2024 turned out to be a milestone for executive pay in India. Leading figures from various industries earned some of the highest compensation packages seen in recent years. These earnings are not just financial statements—they reflect the growing emphasis on leadership that drives long-term success, clarity in direction, and organizational impact. As companies face complex challenges, the value of solid, reliable leadership has never been more apparent.
Abhay Bhutada’s Compensation Breaks Records
Leading the earnings chart for FY24 is Abhay Bhutada, Poonawalla Fincorp’s former MD, with a total compensation of ₹241.21 crore. During his tenure, he played a central role in transforming the business into a digitally streamlined organization and helped the company achieve a CRISIL AAA rating. Abhay Bhutada is also known for his work through the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, which promotes healthcare access, educational tools, and sports initiatives for underserved communities. A member of the Poonawalla Group, he represents a modern business leader who blends innovation with social consciousness.
Hero MotoCorp’s Pawan Munjal Earns Second Place
With a total annual compensation of ₹109.41 crore, Pawan Munjal ranks second among India’s highest-paid executives. He has guided Hero MotoCorp through multiple market changes, keeping the company’s leadership in the two-wheeler segment intact. Under his leadership, the company has not only expanded internationally but also adapted to changing customer expectations. His compensation accounts for 0.28% of total revenue and 2.92% of net profits, showing his deep involvement in strategic and operational aspects of the business.
Coforge Sees Growth Under Sudhir Singh
Sudhir Singh, CEO and Executive Director of Coforge, received ₹105.12 crore in compensation. Singh has led the IT firm through a period of consistent expansion, building its brand in global technology services. His leadership has helped strengthen customer relationships and sharpen delivery mechanisms. Singh’s pay equals 1.14% of company revenue and 13.01% of net profits, pointing to the central role he plays in Coforge’s operations.
Vinay Prakash’s Role at Adani Enterprises
At Adani Enterprises, Executive Director Vinay Prakash earned ₹89.37 crore this year. He is responsible for some of the company’s core operations, including its energy and infrastructure segments. His work has supported project execution, improved cost efficiency, and advanced sustainable growth goals. While his salary is a modest 0.09% of company revenue and 2.76% of net profits, the scale and complexity of his responsibilities are noteworthy.
Sun TV Network Maintains Stability Through Its Leadership Duo
Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Kalanithi, both key leaders at Sun TV Network, earned ₹87.5 crore each. They’ve worked together for years to maintain the broadcaster’s strong regional presence and viewership dominance. Their approach focuses on a mix of high-quality content, targeted audience reach, and business discipline. Despite the growing shift to digital platforms, Sun TV has continued to deliver consistent results under their guidance.
Executive Pay Reflects Long-Term Confidence
The size of these compensation packages shows how companies are building long-term relationships with their leadership teams. Rather than rotating top positions often, companies are sticking with experienced professionals who have proven their ability to manage transitions, achieve targets, and guide the business through uncertain periods.
This also suggests that leadership today is not just about driving quarterly numbers. It includes building internal systems, supporting team development, and introducing new tools and strategies that benefit the business over the long term.
Social Contribution is Now a Defining Trait
What also stands out in this year’s list of high earners is their interest in giving back. Leaders like Abhay Bhutada are increasingly engaging in causes that impact society. His foundation’s involvement in education and healthcare shows how personal values are becoming a part of the leadership identity. As more business leaders include community development in their plans, the perception of executive success is also evolving.
In today’s business world, being a high-performing leader includes awareness of social responsibility. Top executives are beginning to recognize that their reach and influence can be powerful tools for change, and many are using their resources to do more than just grow profits.
Conclusion
India’s highest-paid executives in 2024 represent more than just corporate success—they stand for forward-thinking, decisive, and socially aware leadership. Abhay Bhutada, along with Pawan Munjal, Sudhir Singh, Vinay Prakash, and the team at Sun TV, has helped show what modern executive leadership looks like.
Their achievements are not only a result of strategy and performance, but also of steady commitment and the ability to manage both growth and responsibility. As Indian companies continue to evolve, the presence of such leaders will be crucial in shaping what comes next—not only for the businesses they serve but also for the society they influence.
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