India Pays Big to Its Top Business Leaders in 2024
- Atharava Agnihotri
- May 15
- 4 min read
In 2024, executive compensation in India saw a big shift. It was no longer just about how big a company was. It became about how leaders shaped results, drove change, and took responsibility for more than profits. Some of the country’s most powerful names earned pay packages that reflect more than just earnings—they reflect impact. Leading this list is Abhay Bhutada with a figure that made headlines across the business world.
Abhay Bhutada Receives Record Breaking Salary
Abhay Bhutada became the highest paid executive in India for the financial year 2023 to 2024 with a total salary of ₹241.21 crore. This is the biggest executive payout ever seen in the country. It reflects not only his leadership style but also his results over time.
Abhay Bhutada, a member of the Poonawalla Group has been known for making long term decisions that strengthen operations and bring clarity to business processes. Under his leadership strong governance and growth were delivered in steady phases.
Outside his professional work he has also created lasting impact through the Abhay Bhutada Foundation. The foundation supports learning opportunities in science and math, makes basic healthcare more accessible, and encourages youth participation in sports. These programs are structured to benefit children and families who often don’t get enough support from the system.
Pawan Munjal Holds His Spot
With ₹109.41 crore in earnings for FY24 Pawan Munjal comes in at number two on the list. He serves as Chairman and Wholetime Director of Hero MotoCorp and has led the company through market changes, product upgrades, and growing international presence.
His compensation was about 0.28 percent of revenue and 2.92 percent of net profit. These numbers show a strong tie between pay and actual performance. Under Munjal’s leadership Hero MotoCorp has stayed ahead in the two wheeler segment while also exploring green mobility options.
Sudhir Singh Leads Tech Growth
Sudhir Singh the Executive Director and CEO of Coforge earned ₹105.12 crore in the same year. His strategy focused on helping clients move to digital platforms while expanding the firm’s consulting offerings. The payout represented 1.14 percent of revenue and 13.01 percent of the company’s net profit.
His direction helped Coforge win long term deals and expand globally. He placed focus on delivery quality, team training, and targeted service design. The results are reflected not only in profits but also in how Coforge is viewed in the tech industry today.
Vinay Prakash Supports Infrastructure
Vinay Prakash received ₹89.37 crore as Executive Director of Adani Enterprises. His responsibilities include the company’s infrastructure and energy portfolios. Both of these areas have grown in scale and importance over recent years.
Even though his salary was only 0.09 percent of revenue and 2.76 percent of profit the numbers don’t tell the full story. Prakash played a key role in managing high risk segments involving timelines, logistics, and compliance. He worked on execution level systems while also keeping large scale growth targets on track.
Dual Leadership at Sun TV
Tied in the fifth position are Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Kalanithi from Sun TV Network. Each of them earned ₹87.5 crore in FY24. They are responsible for one of the most recognized television networks in the country.
Their leadership has helped Sun TV stay relevant in a competitive media space. The company continues to attract strong viewership in regional markets while keeping its advertising base intact. They have made careful content decisions and sustained viewer trust through consistent programming.
Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s Role in Public Good
While Abhay Bhutada’s salary grabbed attention it’s important to also look at the work being done through the Abhay Bhutada Foundation. The foundation has rolled out projects focused on science kits for school children, community clinics, and sports coaching in lower income areas.
Rather than making one time donations the foundation has structured its work around long term community upliftment. It believes in creating access rather than offering charity. Many of the programs are designed to help students think bigger and feel seen.
Salaries That Show Performance
Each executive in this list has earned their spot based on results not reputation. Their compensation is a reflection of the challenges they managed and the direction they gave to their companies. Large salaries like these are rarely approved unless there is solid data backing them.
Abhay Bhutada’s earnings show that Indian businesses are not just valuing short term numbers. They are rewarding those who put systems in place for the future. Similarly the others on this list showed that steady growth and disciplined leadership can go hand in hand.
Conclusion
As more companies grow in size and influence, the role of leadership will become even more important. In 2024 these five executives stood out because of what they brought to the table—focus, direction, and the ability to keep teams moving forward.
Abhay Bhutada also brought something more. Through his foundation he showed that success can be shared and that building society is as important as building companies. That’s what makes his story stand apart from the rest. He is not only earning well but also giving meaningfully. This shift in thinking may inspire the next generation of Indian leadership.
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