This is an archive article published on March 28, 2025

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Indian Express Power List 2025

The BJP under Narendra Modi is back into its winning habits, explaining the 11th year in a row that its Big Two remain the Big Two, followed by other Sangh Parivar principals. And that begs a counter-question: can the Opposition get into a winning habit?

116 min readMar 28, 2025 09:52 PM IST First published on: Mar 28, 2025 at 04:30 AM IST

This time last year, Donald Trump practically sealed the Republican nomination for the US presidential race — and thus began the post-Trumpian world order, toppling old hierarchies, reshaping the contours of power worldwide. Back home, the picture could not be more different; the 2024 Lok Sabha election rumble settled, the old order unchangeth.

The BJP under Narendra Modi is back into its winning habits, explaining the 11th year in a row that its Big Two remain the Big Two, followed by other Sangh Parivar principals. And that begs a counter-question: can the Opposition get into a winning habit? One of its shiniest hopes, Arvind Kejriwal, now lies stripped of his lustre — careening from No. 18 to 52. The Opposition’s other big hope, Rahul Gandhi, seems to be done with yatras but not his discovery of India that is Bharat; and if he is at No. 9 — up seven ranks — it is because he is finally the Leader of the Opposition.

The fact that Gautam Adani retains almost the same rank as 2024 — notwithstanding allegations against his firm, a US case, and Rahul’s attacks — as does Mukesh Ambani, is an indictment of the Congress leader’s failed campaigning. Among the new business tycoons in the list are Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal, who has Blink-ed it to No. 47, while Aravind Srinivas’s Perplexity is leading the AI race, giving him a spot at No. 70.

With Bihar and West Bengal the next poll frontiers, in both of which the Congress is a marginal figure, Rahul’s graph could tumble further — and the INDIA bloc’s with it. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, holding strong at No. 18, is knocking at the door while DMK chief MK Stalin has crafted himself as the South’s answer to the BJP, and as such rises two spots to No. 23. He is a steadfast Congress friend but the Tamil Nadu elections are still a year away.

In a government whose face and voice is Modi, only a few Union ministers hold their own. If the most prominent are S Jaishankar (the world his stage at No. 3) and Ashwini Vaishnaw (the New Delhi station stampede notwithstanding, at No. 8), another is Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was brought to Delhi from Madhya Pradesh and holds the Agriculture portfolio, a job as crucial as it is tricky. That explains his entry, at

No. 29. Manohar Lal Khattar’s notable role in the BJP’s Haryana success means he is now at No. 39, up from 82.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on the other hand, has a great fall, from No. 62 to 81 — the latest Gandhi entering Parliament failing to prove the fix hoped for by the Congress to put the party back together again.

Chief Ministers earn a place by virtue of their posts, their states or their association, with Devendra Fadnavis’s return to the top Maharashtra post powering him by 37 spots to No. 13, and Pushkar Singh Dhami’s Uniform Civil Code push getting him up 29 points to No. 32. But even among the names the BJP leadership pulls out of its hat, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta stands out, and hence is at No. 65.

In sports, Jay Shah as ICC chief, who ensured that India did not have to travel to Pakistan for the recent Champions Trophy, is having a field day. Enough to get him to No. 24, up 11. However, there is a universe beyond cricket where India is the world leader — chess. The undisputed king of this board is Viswanathan Anand, a new entry at 36, ahead of Captain Cool Rohit Sharma (No. 48, a bump of 20, courtesy that Champions Trophy).

Bollywood had a dull, quiet year, with its heroes making barely a whimper. South swooped up the accolades and Allu Arjun makes a smashing entry, behind his counterparts with political ambitions, Pawan Kalyan and Vijay.

Shah Rukh Khan hangs on, but just, his dubious success this year being prepping son Aryan for his debut (the megastar drops the steepest, by 70 spots). Alia Bhatt has borne the burden of motherhood lightly, ensuring she keeps a place. However, the one with the lightest touch is Diljit Dosanjh, the Jatt-setter who planted a turban at Coachella.

1. Narendra Modi, 74

Prime Minister of India

Rank last year: 1

Narendra Modi

Why
For being the only Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to come back to power for a historic third term — and to have done so with his formidable popularity undiminished. In his 11th year in power at the Centre, PM Modi’s ability to set the narrative and single-handedly shape it in his party’s favour remains intact.
When the BJP that had set a target of “400 paar” fell short of a majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, questions were raised about whether Modi would be able to manage a coalition government. He silenced his critics by taking along parties such as the TDP and the JD (U), among others, and in three state elections, reclaiming the ground lost in Lok Sabha.

Power Punch
Amid global (read Washington) headwinds, Modi has deftly steered the course at crucial points: from his “this is not the time for war” advice to Russian President Vladimir Putin to his latest message to “brother” Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sit at the negotiating table with Russia, from opening trade talks with the European Union and dialling down the China chill. His government’s handling of US President Donald Trump and his tariff threats have been calibrated to not shrink Delhi’s diplomatic space.

What Next
Given that Modi is the face of every election — even a bypoll — that the BJP fights, the relentless campaigner will soon have to hit the ground for Bihar, which sees polls later this year. Bihar is one of the last frontiers in the Hindi heartland where the BJP is not the predominant force.

By The Way
He finds spiritual strength in Maa Amba and visits the Amba temple before sunrise.

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2. Amit Shah, 60

Union Home Minister

Rank last year: 2

Amit Shah

Why
Irrespective of who is at the helm of affairs in the BJP, Amit Shah remains the de facto party supremo, shaping its electoral strategies and managing organizational dynamics. The undisputed No. 2 to the Prime Minister, Shah runs the most important and powerful ministry in the government — the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Last year, the MHA, under him, played a significant role in the conduct of peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir — the first since the abrogation of Article 370.

Power Punch
Following the setback of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, when the BJP failed to get a majority on its own, the party’s critics predicted a turning of the political tide. But led by Shah, the BJP made a resounding comeback, with back-to-back victories in Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi.

What Next
How Shah moves on Kashmir will be keenly watched — both on the promised restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and how much room the Centre gives the Omar Abdullah-led government. With Manipur coming under President’s Rule, the responsibility of ensuring the state’s return to normalcy falls on his shoulders.
The campaign against Naxals, where the casualty count is on a steady uptick, will test the effectiveness of how his Ministry works with the Chhattisgarh government to move the needle on the intractable internal security challenge.

By The Way
He loves his chillas.

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3. S Jaishankar, 70

Union Minister for External Affairs

Rank last year: 5

Jaishankar in his six years in the job has emerged as one of the most articulate ministers in the Modi Cabinet

S Jaishankar

Why
For bringing a new vocabulary to India’s foreign policy — one that is more self-assured and confident. Having made the shift effortlessly from a bureaucrat to a politician, Jaishankar in his six years in the job has emerged as one of the most articulate ministers in the Modi Cabinet. From the Russia-Ukraine war to the conflict in West Asia and the changing dynamics with China, he has been the face of the government’s foreign policy. “(India’s) independence should never be confused with neutrality,” he said last year.

Power Punch
At US President Donald Trump’s inauguration, he got a front-row seat, next to the President of Ecuador — while his Quad counterparts from Australia and Japan were seated behind. He also used two quick back-to-back visits, in December and January, to facilitate PM Modi’s early visit to the White House — within a month of the US President’s swearing-in.

What Next
As a new combative Washington upends the global order, how the government manages India’s foreign policy will be key in the next year.

By The Way
He loves playing squash and believes it helps him keep his mind sharp.

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4. Mohan Bhagwat, 74

RSS Sarsanghchalak

Rank last year: 3

Bhagwat's statement following the Lok Sabha polls served to send a message — that the BJP could not take the Sangh for granted.

Mohan Bhagwat

Why
Because his utterances are keenly watched and interpreted — both for what he says and what he doesn’t. So when he talked about “men wanting to be bhagwan” after the Lok Sabha results last year, the Opposition saw it as a message for Modi. And when, in his first speech in 2025, he said “true independence of India… was achieved on the day the Ram Temple was consecrated”, it was seen as an attack on the Congress.

Power Punch
“A true sevak maintains decorum while working… There is no arrogance that I did this.” Bhagwat’s statement following the Lok Sabha polls served to send a message — that the BJP could not take the Sangh for granted. Especially since it followed BJP president JP Nadda’s remarks to The Indian Express in an interview that the BJP did not need the RSS as much now, as it was “capable” on its own.

What Next
The government has already implemented two key ideological goals of the RSS — the construction of the Ram Temple and abrogation of Article 370. The RSS is now likely to push for a Uniform Civil Code, a population policy, and the National Register of Citizens.

By The Way
He loves watching Marathi plays in his leisure time.

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5. Nirmala Sitharaman, 65

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs

Rank last year: 8

Only finance minister to present the union finance budget 8 times in a row

Nirmala Sitharaman

Why
Balancing the government’s fiscal metrics at a time of geopolitical tension, tariff wars and a slowing economy, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman walked the tightrope presenting the Budget. In doing so, she managed to roll out unprecedented tax relief for the middle class in a bid to push consumption and simultaneously retained the thrust on capex to boost growth amid scepticism of subdued private investments.

Power Punch
As Finance Minister, she has created a record by presenting eight consecutive Budgets. She is confident that despite a growing global tariff war, India will move “smartly” to guard against possible dumping of goods from countries that are facing higher US tariffs.At the same time, her challenge is to protect the interests of domestic industries that rely on affordable imports. She is also working on reducing Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates further, with the process of rationalising tax rates and slabs nearing completion.

What Next
While consumption and government expenditure are expected to support India’s growth engine, there are external risks from escalating tariff wars, especially the US, that may impact India’s exports. Sitharaman will have to steer the economy through these challenges while keeping a focus on growth and interests of SMEs and labour-intensive sectors such as textiles.

By The Way
She presented Budget 2025-26 wearing a sari gifted by Madhubani artist Dulari Devi. She has a vast collection of handloom saris — from Odisha’s Bomkai to Telangana’s Pochampally silks — which she prefers to buy directly from weavers.

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6. Yogi Adityanath, 52

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister

Rank last year: 6

Yogi Adityanath

Why
He is now Brand Yogi. His “tough taskmaster” persona is a template copied not just by BJP CMs but those in Opposition parties too. From bulldozer justice and public shaming of alleged rioters, to anti-Romeo squads — a number of states have borrowed from the Yogi playbook. Eight years into his job as UP CM, he also continues to be one of the most sought-after campaigners for the BJP.

Power Punch
After the BJP’s steep fall in UP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Adityanath took control of the crucial state bypolls last year, ensuring the BJP won seven out of the nine seats, even wresting strongholds of the Samajwadi Party.

What Next
Will the UP BJP be able to put the sub-par performance in the general elections behind it as the state votes in 2027? All eyes are on Adityanath. And is he set for a bigger role in the party? The bets are off.

By The Way
He is up very early in the morning, and takes time to read several newspapers before his officials come to work.

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7. Rajnath Singh, 73

Union Minister for Defence

Rank last year: 7

Singh is arguably the most important member of the Narendra Modi Cabinet after Amit Shah

Rajnath Singh

Why
Having steered both the Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence, Singh is arguably the most important member of the Narendra Modi Cabinet after Amit Shah. His close association with the Sangh Parivar and his decades of experience in national politics also make him key to the BJP’s political strategy.

Power Punch
Due to his ability to reach out across the aisle and his mild demeanour, he is often relied upon by the Prime Minister for trouble-shooting in political crises. Under his leadership as defence minister, the armed forces have achieved resolution of friction points in Depsang Plains and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh with the Chinese PLA.

What Next
The stepped-up terrorist activity in the Jammu region is a cause for concern. The eastern Ladakh situation has eased but the India-China engagement remains a work in progress.

By The Way
He often quotes physicist Fritjof Capra to underline how some fundamental principles of physics find echoes in Indian spirituality and philosophy, including the Vedas.

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8. Ashwini Vaishnaw, 54

Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & IT

Rank last year: 13

Vaishnaw has had a steep growth curve, ending up as one of the top ministers in the Cabinet within four years of being inducted in July 2021.

Ashwini Vaishnaw

Why
A relative newcomer to politics, Vaishnaw has had a steep growth curve, ending up as one of the top ministers in the Cabinet within four years of being inducted in July 2021. In his third tenure in power, PM Narendra Modi not only gave Vaishnaw the key Railways portfolio again, but also gave him the charge of Electronics & IT and Information & Broadcasting. Vaishnaw has strengthened the financials of the Railways post-2021, when the Covid pandemic affected revenues.

Power Punch
In spite of the Opposition’s criticism over train accidents, including the Balasore tragedy in June 2023, Vaishnaw is the PM’s choice for his railway modernisation plan and the key government face for the integration of technology and policy.

What Next
A key focus for Vaishnaw and the Indian Railways is to take deep reforms beyond premium trains. The 50 Amrit Bharat trains in the pipeline for sleeper and general classes in 2025-26, and the sweeping national upgrade of stations are a part of this effort.

By The Way
Vaishnaw, who knows Hindi and Rajasthani well, and can understand Odia and Gujarati, is learning Tamil, Telugu and Bengali.

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9. Rahul Gandhi, 54

Leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha

Rank last year: 16

Rahul Gandhi

Why
As Leader of the Opposition — a post that had been vacant for a decade given the BJP’s sheer dominance in the Lok Sabha — Rahul Gandhi is the face of the anti-BJP front in Parliament and outside. Despite the Congress’s poor showing in the Assembly elections that followed the high of the Lok Sabha results last year, he continues to be the main voice of the INDIA bloc and the Opposition.

Power Punch
Most of the credit for the results of the Lok Sabha elections in June — when the Congress won 99 seats and restricted the BJP to 240, well short of its “400 paar” goal — went to Rahul. His “Constitution is in danger” theme proved to be effective and was taken up by other Opposition parties.

What Next
The high of the Lok Sabha results now seems distant, with the Congress suffering defeats in the state Assembly elections after being seen as ahead in Haryana and Maharashtra. Up next is Bihar, followed by Kerala and Assam next year. The stakes are high for the Congress — and Rahul — especially in Kerala.

By The Way
‘Pulse’ is his favourite candy and he always keeps some in his car when he is on the road, handing them out to the children he meets.
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10. Mukesh Ambani, 67

Chairman & Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited

Rank last year: 11

Mukesh Ambani

Why
Mukesh Ambani is ranked 18th on the Forbes list of billionaires in the world, and the richest in India, with a net worth of $92.7 billion. He has strengthened the flagship Reliance Industries (RIL) by focusing on new energy, artificial intelligence (AI), digital segment, retail business, reorganisation and succession planning. RIL is the most valued company on the stock exchanges with a market capitalisation of Rs 16.31 lakh crore.

Power Punch
In the midst of the global competition for leadership in artificial intelligence, Ambani recently said RIL’s digital arm Jio is working on building the world’s best AI infrastructure in India. RIL recently issued a bonus issue in the ratio of one-for-one to shareholders and announced it’s investing up to Rs 75,000 crore to establish the manufacturing ecosystem in new energy businesses, extensively enabled by all emerging technologies, including AI, IoT (the Internet of Things), Machine Learning and Robotics.

What Next
Ambani is likely to spin off RIL’s subsidiaries, Jio Platform and the retail arm, into separate entities and list them on the stock exchanges. He is also constructing the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex over 5,000 acres in Jamnagar, which will be the world’s largest integrated renewable energy manufacturing facility.

By The Way
Ambani’s favourite food is idli sambar and his favourite restaurant is Mysore Cafe, which he would visit when he was a student at Mumbai University.

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11. Gautam Adani, 62

Chairman, Adani Group

Rank last year: 10

Gautam Adani

Why
A first-generation entrepreneur, Gautam Adani has interests in energy, ports and logistics, gas, airports, defence, aerospace and mining. Forbes Billionaires list puts his net worth at $60.6 billion.

Power Punch
Adani weathered two big storms — one that arose after Hindenburg Research allegations and led to demands for a Joint Parliamentary Committee by the Opposition parties, and the other of bribery charges by US prosecutors.

What Next
He faces a legal challenge with the US Securities and Exchange Commission issuing summons to him over alleged security fraud and bribery. Meanwhile, the group continues its expansion spree. It is coming up with a Rs 2,800 crore power transmission project in Gujarat for green hydrogen. Its real estate arm will be redeveloping Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum, spanning 600 acres and valued at Rs 5,069 crore. This is expected to rehabilitate over a million residents and transform the area into a modern, urban hub. Then there’s the Navi Mumbai Airport, which will be a hub of low-cost carriers.

By The Way
He loves to do Sudoku.

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12. Piyush Goyal, 60

Union Minister for Commerce & Industry

Rank last year: 12

Piyush Goyal

Why
At a time of tariff wars, Piyush Goyal is at the helm of trade negotiations with the US, European Union and the UK, especially with the developed world increasingly seeking market access in India. Goyal’s tenacity in walking this tightrope — managing the expectations of domestic industries amid a fast-changing global trade scenario — will leave an imprint on India’s growth story in the coming years.

Power Punch
Goyal contested his first Lok Sabha elections last year and won the North Mumbai seat by a margin of over 3.5 lakh votes.

What Next
Goyal will be dealing with US President Donald Trump as India seeks the best possible trade deal. While access to bigger markets could help India realise its goal of $1 trillion goods exports by 2030, the challenge will be to ensure the free-trade agreements are in India’s favour. He will have to draw on both his diplomatic and political skills to navigate the tricky terrain ahead.

By The Way
He started out as an investment banker and served on the boards of the SBI and the Bank of Baroda as a government nominee.

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13. Devendra Fadnavis, 54

Maharashtra Chief Minister

Rank last year: 50

Devendra Fadnavis

Why
The Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory of 237 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly polls last year was a testament to Devendra Fadnavis’s leadership. The BJP got 132 seats on its own, which is its highest-ever tally in the state. The victory came months after the BJP suffered a reversal in the Lok Sabha polls. In his latest term as CM, Fadnavis is more confident and has a goal: making Maharashtra a trillion dollar economy by 2030.

Power Punch
In June 2022, when the Mahayuti took over, Fadnavis had to give up his claim on the CM’s chair and Sena’s Eknath Shinde was chosen for the job despite the BJP being the bigger party in the alliance. But after the BJP’s dominant performance in the 2024 polls, Fadnavis was the clear leader. With him at the helm, Maharashtra has attracted investment commitments worth Rs 15.78 lakh crore — the highest by any state.

What Next
Winning the BMC polls will be a challenge as the corporation has been held by the united Shiv Sena for the last three decades.

By The Way
Fadnavis loves music and knows the lyrics of several film songs.

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14. N Chandrababu Naidu, 74

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister

New

N Chandrababu Naidu

Why
As chief of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the second largest party in the NDA after the BJP, N Chandrababu Naidu is a key player. In 2023, he had his back to the wall — an arrest had derailed his plans and YSRCP’s Jagan Mohan Reddy rode high. Less than a year later, he ensured a spectacular win for the TDP in Andhra Pradesh and a place on the NDA high table.

Power Punch
Realising that an alliance was needed to defeat the YSRCP, Naidu tied up with the Jana Sena Party and BJP for the simultaneous 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Their coalition swept the polls, catapulting him to the centrestage of national politics again as a key NDA ally.

What Next
He is preparing to implement his “Swarnandhra @ 2047 Vision (Golden Andhra Pradesh)” — an ambitious plan for the state’s economic transformation, aligning with the Narendra Modi government’s initiative for 2024. He is also looking to implement his “Super 6” poll guarantees.

By The Way
Naidu has started ranking his ministers, including himself, on performance, mainly on file clearance.

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15. Nitin Gadkari, 67

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways

New

Nitin Gadkari

Why
Gadkari is the longest-serving road transport and highways minister, with highway development picking pace under him since 2014, with over 50,000 km of roads laid. He is known for out-of-the-box ideas to solve contractual issues and stagnant projects, which have also helped bring down costs while ensuring quality.

Power Punch
Gadkari is known for his close ties with the RSS and represents Nagpur, where the organisation is headquartered.

What Next
Gadkari has said he wants to reduce road accident deaths by 50 per cent. His ministry has already rectified black spots, installed better road signages and marking systems and taken action against contractors and consultants for cutting corners. He has been lately speaking about errors in road engineering.

By The Way
Gadkari considers himself an “agriculturist” and is fond of this mantra: “If there is a will, there is a way. And if there is no will, there is only survey, discussion, seminar, committee, sub-committee and research group.”

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16. Sanjay Malhotra, 57

RBI Governor

New

Sanjay Malhotra

Why
Sanjay Malhotra was appointed as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in December 2024 for three years amid worries over slowing growth, sticky inflation and global geopolitical risks. Prior to this, he served as the Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.

Power Punch
The RBI cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent in February after holding it for two years. It marked the first repo rate cut in nearly five years, signalling the intent to prioritise growth and bring down interest rates that have impacted equated monthly instalments (EMIs) on home and personal loans.

What Next
With Malhotra at the helm, the central bank has to improve its functioning with updated databases and AI. While easing inflation and improving liquidity, Malhotra will have to cater to the expectations of another rate cut at its next monetary policy meeting in April.

By The Way
Malhotra believes in academic excellence — his name features as a school topper on the Kendriya Vidyalaya’s board in Bikaner. He also went to school in Srinagar.

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17. Bhupender Yadav, 55

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Rank last year: 31

Bhupender Yadav

Why
Right through 2024, Bhupender Yadav played a pivotal role as one of the BJP’s foremost electoral strategists. While managing the BJP’s campaign in Odisha’s Assembly and parliamentary polls, Yadav also managed to win his first-ever Lok Sabha contest from Rajasthan’s Alwar and retain his Cabinet berth and portfolio.

Power Punch
He was given the charge of Odisha, where the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had been the principal political force since 2000. The BJP emerged on top in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the state, forming its first government in Odisha. After that, Yadav was given the charge of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which also ended in success for the BJP.

What Next
As the Environment Minister, Yadav is expected to lead negotiations for India at this year’s global climate talks in Brazil — the first since the United States withdrew from the Paris climate accord.

By The Way
Yadav has been promoting youth initiatives in his Alwar constituency, including an e-library as well as cultural and sports programmes like half-marathons.

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18. Mamata Banerjee, 70

West Bengal Chief Minister, Trinamool Congress Chief

Rank last year: 15

mamata Banerjee

Why
Mamata Banerjee is the only Opposition woman chief minister in the country and one of the most powerful INDIA bloc leaders. A staunch critic of the BJP, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo defeated a surging BJP in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In 2023, her party also registered a landslide victory in the state’s three-tier panchayat polls.

Power Punch
Since her days as an Opposition leader in Bengal, Banerjee is known for her ability to read the pulse of the people. The popularity of her welfare schemes has ensured she remains the most prominent political figure in West Bengal.

What Next
The 2026 Assembly elections are the next big challenge for Banerjee. The TMC has faced considerable heat over corruption charges and the RG Kar rape-murder case. With the situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, including alleged attacks against its Hindu community, allowing the BJP to push its Hindutva agenda in Bengal, Banerjee will have to rely on her welfare schemes, particularly those aimed at women, as a key vote multiplier for the TMC.

By The Way
A health enthusiast, she walks 10 km daily.

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19. Hardeep Singh Puri, 73

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas

Rank last year: 20

Hardeep Singh Puri

Why
Hardeep Singh Puri has helmed India’s petroleum ministry at a time when geopolitical upheavals affected the global oil and gas trade. His vocal defence of the country’s high imports of discounted Russian oil and his repeated declarations that New Delhi was willing to buy energy from whoever offers the best deal, have made the global community sit up and take notice.

Power Punch
Puri has diversified India’s energy imports using what he calls the “market card”, a reference to India using its huge market as a bargaining chip with foreign energy exporters. India has emerged as a key voice representing the Global South on critical issues like energy transition, biofuels, climate finance, energy justice and the future of fossil fuels.

What Next
Puri’s experience in multilateral diplomacy will come in handy at a time when India is about to become the biggest driver of global oil demand.

By The Way
Before joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1974, Puri was briefly a lecturer at Delhi’s St Stephen’s College, which has a historical rivalry with Puri’s alma mater, Hindu College.

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20. Siddaramaiah, 76

Karnataka Chief Minister

Rank last year: 22

Siddaramiah is a key voice for the party and the larger Opposition.

Siddaramaiah

Why
As Chief Minister of Karnataka, one of the two southern states where the Congress is in power, Siddaramiah is a key voice for the party and the larger Opposition. Despite an intense struggle for power within the state unit of the party, his personal popularity remains high.

Power Punch
He has managed to retain his credibility and authority despite corruption allegations against his family over a land allotment by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. A member of the Kuruba community, he is crucial to the Congress’s OBC outreach in the state.

What Next
Can he stave off the challenge from Deputy CM D K Shivakumar? So far, the manner in which the CM has run the state government, especially the implementation of the Congress’s five guarantees, suggests that he is likely to continue for a full term of five years. And he enjoys the support of a majority of the 135 Congress MLAs in the state.

By The Way
Siddaramaiah, who has presented 16 state budgets as finance minister, had no formal schooling till Class V.

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21. Nitish Kumar, 74

Bihar Chief Minister

Rank last year: 24

Nitish Kumar

Why
Despite his frequent flip-flops and shifting allegiances, Nitish Kumar, who is currently in his fourth consecutive term as Chief Minister of Bihar, has been an indispensable figure in the state’s political landscape for the last two decades. He continues to hold on to the state’s top job despite his party’s shrinking electoral footprint. At present, his Janata Dal (United) has only 45 seats in a House of 243.

Power Punch
Kumar has been able to negotiate even with the BJP. After joining hands with the party last year, he retained the Chief Minister’s chair. The BJP, despite having 74 seats, settled for two Deputy CMs. Adding to that, he continues to lead the last of the socialist parties in the country.

What Next
The Assembly elections in Bihar are scheduled later this year. With age catching up, and questions of party survival being thrown in, Kumar has to ensure that JD (U) workers are enthused and reassured.

By The Way
Kumar loves bhuja, a Bihari snack.

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22. Dharmendra Pradhan, 55

Union Minister for Education

Rank last year: 33

Dharmendra Pradhan

Why
Dharmendra Pradhan first took charge as Union Education Minister in 2021 and having retained the portfolio in the third Modi Cabinet, he continues to spearhead the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. As part of the NEP, Pradhan will oversee the reforms being introduced in the school and higher education sector, including the publishing of new textbooks, reforms in board exams and fresh regulations being issued by bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Council for Teacher Education.

Power Punch
Pradhan was key in ensuring the BJP’s victory in Odisha and its third consecutive term in Haryana, where he was the party’s election in-charge.

What Next
After the NEET paper leak controversy last year, his ministry is trying to adopt reforms to instill trust in the National Testing Agency (NTA). As Opposition-ruled states wage battles against the Centre over aspects of the NEP, the PM-SHRI schools and new UGC guidelines will be key in paving the way forward.

By The Way
Pradhan enjoys sports, especially football.

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23. MK Stalin, 72

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Chief

Rank last year: 25

Tamil Nadu remains the only major state where the BJP-led NDA is on the margins, making Stalin a key player of the INDIA bloc.

MK Stalin

Why
Stalin has cemented his position as one of India’s tallest regional leaders, having led his party to successive landslide wins in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections besides the 2021 Assembly polls. Tamil Nadu remains the only major state where the BJP-led NDA is on the margins, making Stalin a key player of the INDIA bloc.

Power Punch
Stalin has positioned himself as the face of the Opposition in the South to a population-based delimitation process, mobilising other states and leaders behind him. This is in line with other issues he has taken up, such as language, to reinforce regional identity.

What Next
As the leader of the DMK-led coalition, which includes the Congress and the Left, Stalin’s task is cut out as the state heads for Assembly elections next year. Ensuring allocations for his government’s key schemes amid strained ties with the Centre and keeping the DMK’s alliance intact for the 2026 polls are his major challenges ahead.

By The Way
Stalin maintains a strict fitness regimen with a home gym. He also enjoys his walks at the Theosophical Society in Adyar.

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24. Jay Shah, 36

Chairman, International Cricket Council (ICC)

Rank last year: 35

Jay Shah

Why
After controlling Indian cricket for the last six years, Jay Shah, as the Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), is undoubtedly the most powerful administrator in the world of sport now. The ICC has been sailing through rough waters in recent times and with his clout, one can expect Shah to steady the ship on the operational and commercial front before the 2028 Los Angles Olympics comes calling, where cricket is set to make its debut. During his tenure, one can expect India to gain more ground and have a say in how world cricket operates.

Power Punch
The youngest Independent Chair of the ICC, Shah played a key role in cricket becoming a part of the Olympics for the 2028 LA Games. As India sets its eyes on hosting the Olympics, he will have a huge role in positioning the country at the IOC as well.

What Next
He will be the point man overseeing cricket’s foray into Olympics. Shah’s next challenge will be to preserve the relevance of bilateral cricket series.

By The Way
He enjoys watching the web series, Shrikant Bashir.

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25. N Chandrasekaran, 61

Chairman, Tata Group

Rank last year: 28

N Chandrasekaran

Why
N Chandrasekaran heads the Tata Group, a global enterprise comprising 30 companies across 10 verticals. It operates in more than 100 countries across six continents. Besides being Chairman of Tata Sons, the principal investment holding company and promoter of Tata companies, he is also Chairman of TCS, Tata Motors and Tata Steel.

Power Punch
The Tata Group has earmarked $18 billion as investment for electronics and semiconductors and will open nine factories in the next 24 months. Chandrasekaran was recently appointed Chairman of Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation (RTEF) where the late Ratan Tata bequeathed much of his wealth for charity and philanthropy purposes.

What Next
Observers are keenly watching his plans to create five lakh manufacturing jobs over the next five years in sectors such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, solar equipment and critical hardware.

By The Way
He has completed marathons in Mumbai and cities across the world. He is also an avid photographer.

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26. Nita Ambani, 60

Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation

Rank last year: 26

Nita Ambani

Why
Nita Ambani continues to remain India’s face in the Olympics universe and is one of the influential figures in domestic cricket and football. The Reliance Sports Foundation is heavily invested in sports infra and in grooming athletes. Ambani is also an educationist, philanthropist, businesswoman and an arts patron.

Power Punch
Her Mumbai Indians franchise continues to expand its footprint as it recently bought a London-based franchise in England’s The Hundred competition. As India’s member at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), she is likely to be one of the integral members of the country’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

What Next
With T20 franchise teams in England, South Africa, the USA and the UAE, she has a strong voice in cricket’s changing ecosystem. With Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai, she has pioneered a global, multi-disciplinary cultural space.

By The Way
She is an ABBA fan and has watched the musical Mamma Mia! several times.

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27. General Upendra Dwivedi, 60

Chief of Army Staff

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He heads the 12 lakh-strong Indian Army at a critical time of high activity along the border with China and counter-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

General Upendra Dwivedi

Why
He heads the 12 lakh-strong Indian Army at a critical time of high activity along the border with China and counter-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. In recent months, Chinese troops have withdrawn from designated points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and Indian troops have resumed patrolling.

Power Punch
He has been vocal about threats and Chinese ambitions on the LAC, saying the standoff with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh is not over yet. He has a flair for new technologies, an asset at a time the Indian Army is modernising itself. He soared past other contenders during his selection as Army Chief.

What Next
He will be instrumental in preparing the Army for theaterisation and tri-service integration. He will also have a major role to play as the armed forces aim at achieving full indigenisation of weapons and equipment.

By The Way
The officer has an M.Phil in Defence & Management Studies and two Master’s degrees, in Strategic Studies and Military Science.

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28. Anumula Revanth Reddy, 55

Telangana Chief Minister

Rank last year: 39

He rose up the Congress ranks quickly, and after appointment as president of the Telangana unit in 2021, faced discontent within the party.

Anumula Revanth Reddy

Why
When he joined the Congress in October 2017, the former TDP MLA had been in political wilderness. He rose up the Congress ranks quickly, and after appointment as president of the Telangana unit in 2021, faced discontent within the party. However, in the 2023 Assembly polls, he led the faction-ridden Congress to a resounding win, handing a shock defeat to the incumbent K Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS.

Power Punch
Despite being seen as an “outsider” in the state Congress, Revanth managed to unite its various factions. He has further tightened his grip over the party affairs after becoming CM. He may not be the TPCC chief now, but his writ runs large in the government as well as the party.

What Next
He has an uphill task as he steps up to implement the Congress’s six poll guarantees. He also faces a challenge from a resurgent BJP and needs to ensure his party’s readiness for the forthcoming local body elections.

By The Way
Known for his extempore speeches, Reddy stuck to his speech points at the Chennai meeting on delimitation on March 22.

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29. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, 66

Union Minister for Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

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Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Why
After a long tenure as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh — he was the longest-serving CM of the state — Shivraj Singh Chouhan transitioned to national politics, joining the Union Cabinet last year. He now heads two crucial ministries, Rural Development and Agriculture.

Power Punch
Chouhan is the government’s key negotiator in talks with protesting farmers who have continued their push for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price.

What Next
For Chouhan, who as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh was known for his welfare policies, the biggest challenge will be resolving the farmers’ protests and their issues. Whether he will move into a larger role in the party is one of the things to watch out for.

By The Way
A firm believer in environmental conservation, Chouhan has planted a sapling every day since February 19, 2021. Even at his younger son’s wedding in February, he administered an oath to the newly-weds to plant a sapling annually on their anniversary.

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30. Noel Naval Tata, 68

Chairman, Tata Trusts, Trent and Tata Investment Corporation

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Noel Naval Tata

Why
After the passing away of Ratan Tata in October 2024, Noel Naval Tata was selected as Chairman of Tata Trusts, the majority shareholder of Tata Sons, the principal holding company of the $165 billion Tata group. As Tata Trusts holds 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons, he is expected to wield considerable influence in the management. He rose into prominence within the Tata Group for transforming Trent into a retail powerhouse and the fourth most valuable company in its portfolio of businesses.

Power Punch
He will guide the conglomerate at a time when the group faces several challenges globally and domestically. His role has expanded as he serves on the boards of various Tata Group companies. As a Tata, he wields huge informal authority as well and is looked up to within the group as a guide, guard and policy-maker. He can always step in when Tata Sons or group companies make wrong decisions.

What Next
He has to ensure that corporate governance is practised and shareholder wealth is not eroded.

By The Way
Noel Tata has a passion for fast cars.

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31. Himanta Biswa Sarma, 56

Assam Chief Minister

Rank last year: 14

Sarma has expanded his influence beyond the Northeast by emerging as a star campaigner for the BJP in other states.

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Why
Currently seen as the most powerful person in Assam’s political arena, Sarma has expanded his influence beyond the Northeast by emerging as a star campaigner for the BJP in other states. He steered the BJP’s campaign for the Jharkhand Assembly polls too last year.

Power Punch
One of the most talked-about CMs due to his combative style, Sarma in the past year has focused on giving a push to private investments and industry in Assam.The Tatas have pumped in Rs 27,000 crore into the state with their semiconductor assembly and testing facility, which Sarma has termed as a “game changer”, and now he is rallying for more such investments for Assam.

What Next
With his first term as Chief Minister in its final stages and Assembly polls scheduled for next year, Sarma’s next big test would be to retain his chair and ensure a good showing for the BJP in a state where political tempers are on the rise.

By The Way
Sarma completed his PhD in Political Science from Gauhati University.

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32. Pushkar Singh Dhami, 49

Uttarakhand Chief Minister

Rank last year: 61

Pushkar Singh Dhami

Why
Pushkar Singh Dhami has implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand — the first state to do so — even amidst opposition and concerns that have now reached the High Court. The UCC aligns with the RSS’s long-standing ideological vision and has already started serving as a blueprint for other states, with Gujarat forming a committee to draft its own UCC.

Power Punch
Uttarakhand saw three CMs between 2017 and 2022. Under Dhami, the state unit is relatively stable. If he completes his term, he will be the first BJP CM in the history of Uttarakhand to complete a full term in power. Dhami has capitalised on the massive tourism potential in Uttarakhand by hosting the National Games in 2025.

What Next
Under him, the BJP ensured a clean sweep of all the five Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2024 and had a strong showing in the 2025 local body polls. Up next are the 2027 Assembly elections.

By The Way
Dhami enjoys Pahari dishes such as Bhat ki churkani, Jhangore ki kheer, Lal chawal and Mooli ki thichwani.

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33. Mallikarjun Kharge, 82

President, Indian National Congress; Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha

Rank last year: 36

Mallikarjun Kharge

Why
Since he was appointed the Congress president in October 2022, Mallikarjun Kharge has become one of the most vocal anti-BJP voices in the country. He is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and does not shy away from articulating his party position fiercely.

Power Punch
He has been in the Congress for over 50 years and his experience in politics from the ground up — as a former student leader, ex-president of the Gulbarga City Congress and nine-time MLA — gives him an edge over other Opposition leaders. Kharge has also stamped his authority on the Congress unit which was led by the Gandhi family in the last two decades.

What Next
Kharge has undertaken the organisational restructuring of the Congress and there is the test of the Bihar elections this year, followed by the West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala polls in 2026.

By The Way
Kharge loves his three-piece suits but made the dhoti and kurta his signature attire early on in his career on the advice of a mentor.

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34. Mansukh Mandaviya, 52

Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs and Sports

Rank last year: 23

Mandaviya has been tasked with challenging portfolios — Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs and Sports.

Mansukh Mandaviya

Why
After leading the Health Ministry during the pandemic, Mandaviya has been tasked with challenging portfolios — Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs and Sports. He is carrying out much-needed reforms in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and is responsible for implementing the four labour codes, which will have a far-reaching impact. As Sports Minister, he lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), allowing players to participate in selection trials for the Asian Championship in Amman.

Power Punch
With Mandaviya at the helm, the EPFO has settled over five crore claims during the ongoing financial year. He has even suggested that the definition of jobs be revised to include women working within the household as well as self-employed people.

What Next
The big challenge before Mandaviya is implementing labour reforms that mandate consolidating 44 labour laws into four codes.

By The Way
Mandaviya loves to cycle to work. He is a fitness enthusiast.

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35. Ajit Doval, 80

National Security Advisor

Rank last year: 17

Doval has unparalleled access to the PM on all key policy matters related to external and internal security, foreign policy and defence preparedness.

Ajit Doval

Why
One of Narendra Modi’s trusted confidants, Doval has unparalleled access to the PM on all key policy matters related to external and internal security, foreign policy and defence preparedness. The allegations levelled against the government over the assassination plot against US-based Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun were a setback but Doval continues to enjoy the PM’s trust.

Power Punch
The unlocking of the border standoff between India and China was done under his guidance, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar coordinating the moves with him. As the Special Representative on the border question, Doval is the ultimate authority on the next steps.

What Next
Doval, who has been NSA for over a decade, continues to be among the most powerful persons in the Indian security establishment. How he continues to shape India’s position on key security and foreign policy issues and how long he stays on are among the things to watch out for.

By The Way
Doval enjoys cooking meals for close colleagues.

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36. Viswanathan Anand, 55

Chess Grandmaster

New

036_Vishwanathan Anand PL1

Why
Anand is the original world-beater from India on the battlefield of 64 squares. Semi-retired now, he has played a significant role in guiding India’s current generation of stars. Anand has mentored 18-year-old Gukesh, who became the youngest world champion in the sport recently. He also wields considerable power in global sport as the Deputy President of FIDE, the international governing body of the sport.

Power Punch
He has shaped India’s current golden generation of chess players like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali Rameshbabu among many others. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, he started a chess fellowship, WACA, under which he hand-picked players like Gukesh to help them get training from world-class grandmasters.

What Next
With Gukesh becoming world champion, there is anticipation in chess circles that the challenger in 2026 for the World Championship crown could be another one of Vishy’s children’.

By The Way
Anand, who loves music, attended live concerts of Coldplay and Sting when they performed in India.

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37. Uday Kotak, 66

Founder and Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank

Rank last year: 41

Kotak launched a non-banking finance company, Kotak Mahindra Finance, in 1985, which was later converted into a commercial bank in 2003.

Uday Kotak

Why
Founder and director of the Kotak Mahindra Bank, as per the Forbes Billionaires list, Kotak’s net worth is $15.6 billion.

Power Punch
Kotak launched a non-banking finance company, Kotak Mahindra Finance, in 1985, which was later converted into a commercial bank in 2003. He played a significant role in the success of the Kotak Mahindra group, which diversified into a financial services conglomerate, with a presence in banking, asset management, alternate asset management, life and general insurance, stock broking, investment banking, microfinance and asset reconstruction. Today, Kotak Mahindra Bank ranks among the top four private sector lenders in the country.

What Next
After retirement, Uday Kotak founded USK (Uday Suresh Kotak) Capital in 2024. He manages his family money by investing in ventures that have good long-term prospects.

By The Way
Kotak grew up in a joint family with nearly 60 people living under one roof. During his days as an MBA student, he would frequently visit the Bombay Stock Exchange.

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38. Nayab Singh Saini, 55

Haryana Chief Minister

New

Despite becoming an MLA only in 2014, he was chosen for the CM chair in March 2024 when the party high command wanted a new face in Haryana.

Nayab Singh Saini

Why
Nayab Singh Saini’s rise has been meteoric. Despite becoming an MLA only in 2014, he was chosen for the CM chair in March 2024 when the party high command wanted a new face in Haryana. And just months later, battling anti-incumbency, the BJP returned to power in the state. Not just this, it also managed eight seats more than 2019.

Power Punch
Within the BJP circles, it is well-known that Saini has the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. An OBC face of the party in Haryana, his close relationship with former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, whom he considers his guru, has helped propel his political rise.

What Next
In March this year, Saini completed one year in power. Going forward, the test for him will be to tighten his grip over the administrative machinery, while taking all party leaders along with him.

By The Way
Saini’s favourite food is khichdi. Known to work till as late as 2 am, he often asks for it when he returns home even at that hour.

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39. Manohar Lal Khattar, 70

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs

Rank last year: 82

The former Haryana Chief Minister was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 2024 and was inducted into the Cabinet with the key portfolios of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs.

Manohar Lal Khattar

Why
The former Haryana Chief Minister was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 2024 and was inducted into the Cabinet with the key portfolios of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs. Since taking over as Cabinet minister, he has been overseeing the government’s ambitious Central Vista redevelopment.

Power Punch
After serving as CM for 10 years, when Khattar was replaced by Nayab Singh Saini a day after PM Modi praised him in a pre-Lok Sabha election rally in the state, many thought the game was over for him. But he bagged the 2024 Lok Sabha ticket from Karnal, won his election by a substantial margin of 2.32 lakh votes and became a Cabinet Minister in Modi 3.0. He brings with him the experience of handling key projects, which will stand him in good stead.

What Next
He will oversee the historic shift of keyministries, including Home Affairs and Finance, from the North Block to the Common Central Secretariat later this year.

By The Way
He has a knack for languages and has recently picked up Japanese.

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40. Hemant Soren, 49

Chief Minister, Jharkhand

Rank last year: 93

Hemant Soren

Why
Soren created history by taking charge as Chief Minister for the second straight term late last year. He became a fourth-term CM despite spending five months in prison over an alleged land scam.

Power Punch
Soren’s popularity and the traction that his government’s welfare schemes received helped the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc government retain power by improving its own tally from 30 to 34 Assembly seats (out of 81). The JMM effectively countered the BJP’s political narrative of “infiltrators” posing a danger to Jharkhand’s tribal heartland.

What Next
Soren faces the challenge of fulfilling the JMM’s poll promises such as a Rs 1,000 increment in the Maiyya Samman Yojana. He has to ensure the state’s finances keep up with the implementation of welfare schemes. Politically, the CM will also have to find a way to rein in Jairam Mahato, an emerging tribal leader who had a major impact in the Assembly elections.

By The Way
Soren is a wildlife enthusiast who enjoys trips to the countryside as well as nature trail hikes.

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41. Pinarayi Vijayan, 79

Kerala Chief Minister

Rank last year: 49

Pinarayi Vijayan

Why
Besides being in his second term as Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan is an influential Opposition voice and a powerful advocate of harmonious Centre-state relations. A strident critic of the BJP and his party’s main opponent Congress, he has waged battles against the Central government on issues of federalism, allocation of funds to states and the politics of polarisation. The CPI (M) veteran is currently the only CM from a frontline Left party. He will have a key say in selection of the next CPM top boss in April. He wields so much influence that the party had to relax the age limit norms to ensure his continuation in top decision-making bodies, both at the national level and in the state.

Power Punch
Ahead of the Kerala Assembly polls next year, Vijayan has tightened his grip on the CPM. He has also nudged his party to shed its ideological opposition and invite private capital to salvage loss-making public sector undertakings.

What Next
He became the only one in Kerala’s history to return to power for a second term and now, Vijayan has set his sights on a third term.

By The Way
Rajinikanth is one of his favourite actors.

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42. BL Santhosh, 58

National General Secretary (Organisation), BJP

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BL Santhosh

Why
As the BJP’s general secretary (organisation), BL Santhosh is the party’s key organisation man. He played an instrumental role in the recent BJP membership drive which, party insiders point out, was carried out without any hitches. He is known to be capable of ironing out differences in the party cadre.

Power Punch
The party entrusted him with overseeing the tough Haryana Assembly election contest last year and the recent Delhi polls despite the controversies around his role in the 2023 Karnataka polls that the BJP lost. The BJP went on to record significant wins in both Haryana and Delhi, increasing his heft in the party.

What Next
Santhosh takes a deep interest in Karnataka affairs, where he has a long-standing rivalry with former chief minister BS Yeddiyurappa, and where the internal tensions within the BJP are still playing out. All eyes will be on what he gets when the BJP chooses its new president and builds a new team shortly.

By The Way
There is much appreciation in the Sangh and BJP circles for his oratory in Kannada.

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43. Shaktikanta Das, 68

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister

Rank last year: 19

Shaktikanta Das

Why
As the former RBI Governor for six years, he brings a wealth of experience in policy-making and financial governance in his new role as the Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is known to handle tricky situations well and work seamlessly across the political spectrum, transitioning between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments in 2014.

Power Punch
With the country facing challenges from trade wars sparked by US President Donald Trump’s policies, rupee volatility and a broader economic slowdown, his expertise will be key in negotiating these issues.

What Next
Das is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring smooth execution and coordination of key government policies and initiatives. His new role requires him to manage complex, inter-departmental coordination. He will have to deftly handle political opposition and balance short-term pain with long-term gains for the economy.

By The Way
Before joining the IAS in 1980, Das taught at Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi.

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44. Bhagwant Mann, 51

Punjab Chief Minister

Rank last year: 64

Bhagwant Mann

Why
Mann has been the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s face in Punjab since the 2022 Assembly elections, when the party stormed to power by a landslide. Now, he is the AAP’s lone Chief Minister after the party’s drubbing in the Delhi polls.

Power Punch
At the helm of a volatile border state, Mann is grappling with several key issues, including farmers’ protests, drug menace and law and order. His stance against the Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s plan to march to Chandigarh and his ultimatum to state revenue officials — “work or face suspension” — have bolstered his “tough image.” His government’s crackdown on drug cartels has signalled a “no-nonsense approach”.

What Next
Amid allegations that his government is “remote-controlled” by the AAP’s Delhi leadership, he needs to send a message to the public as well as bureaucracy that he calls the shots in Punjab. He also faces the big test of taking his “war on drugs” to a conclusion.

By The Way
Whenever he gets a break in the morning, he plays a game of volleyball, in which his security guards are his only competitors.

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45. Sanjiv Khanna, 64

Chief Justice of India

Rank last year: 21

Sanjiv Khanna

Why
Before being appointed the 51st Chief Justice, he delivered key verdicts, one releasing former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on bail in the Delhi excise policy case, and the other striking down the electoral bond scheme before the 2024 elections.

Power Punch
Days after he took oath as CJI, a Bench led by him sought the Centre’s stance on the Places of Worship Act, 1991, and stayed further suits seeking surveys of places of worship. After the alleged recovery of cash from the house of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma, Khanna initiated an in-house inquiry against him, while earlier, a similar probe was ordered against Justice Shekhar Yadav for alleged violation of judicial conduct.

What Next
With Khanna set to retire in May, the Court is likely to impress upon the Centre the need to hasten its submission on the Places of Worship Act. The Khanna-led Collegium must also fill two vacancies on the Supreme Court Bench.

By The Way
He believes in using public funds judiciously. When the Delhi High Court complex was expanded, he made sure the courtrooms were bigger than judges’ offices.

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46. Omar Abdullah, 55

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister

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Omar Abdullah

Why
After a decade, the National Conference (NC) vice-president returned as the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister as his party clinched the first election held after the abrogation of Article 370. Even though J&K has been downgraded to a Union Territory (UT) with the CM’s powers curtailed, Omar has emerged as a leading player who seems to be more in control at the helm as compared to his earlier stint.

Power Punch
He led the NC to a resounding victory, garnering a decisive mandate which has strengthened his position politically. The NC-led alliance bagged 49 seats out of 90, with the NC winning 42 seats and its ally Congress just six. Omar won both the Kashmir constituencies, Budgam and Ganderbal, he contested from.

What Next
His priority is to see J&K’s return to statehood. The other challenge will be to implement the NC’s ambitious election manifesto which has pledged a struggle for restoration of J&K’s special status besides ensuring jobs for people.

By The Way
He is known to enjoy a Gujarati thali at the new Gujarat Bhavan in Delhi.

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47. Deepinder Goyal, 42

Founder & CEO, Zomato

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Deepinder Goyal

Why
When Zomato listed on the stock market in 2021, Goyal became among the first new-age tech start-up owners in India to do so. Zomato shares were listed at Rs 116 apiece — a premium of 53 per cent over the IPO price of Rs 76. Despite falling to double digits value per stock for a brief period in 2022, it bounced back, becoming profitable for the first time in 2023, its scrip consistently trading above its listing price. Goyal paved the way for more start-ups, even his rival Swiggy, to go public.

Power Punch
Zomato acquired quick e-commerce firm Blinkit in 2022. Today, Blinkit is considered to be the primary growth driver for Zomato. Recently, Zomato became the first new-age technology stock to join the BSE Sensex.

What Next
With the food delivery space showing signs of a slowdown, there are concerns about its long-term future. Besides, Zomato and Blinkit have been facing pushback from their restaurant partners over predatory pricing. Labour rights of delivery workers have been a sore point.

By The Way
He keeps to a diet but on weekends he relishes chole bhature and butter chicken.

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48. Rohit Sharma, 37

Captain, Indian Cricket Team

Rank last year: 68

Rohit Sharma

Why
In just eight months, Rohit Sharma’s team ended India’s long drought of ICC trophies. Burying the anguish of losing the 50-over World Cup final, Rohit’s men reclaimed both the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, without dropping a single game. His brand has expanded too, with him signing up a dozen deals in the season gone by.

Power Punch
The defeats in Tests and meagre returns in the red-ball form sparked speculation regarding his future. But with characteristic gusto, he fought his way through the slump and scored a match-defining knock in the Champions Trophy final. Amidst the criticism triggered by series losses in Australia and at home against New Zealand, he defended his players and took the blame. That the BCCI backed him all through asserts his stature, influence and likeability in Indian cricket.

What Next
The immediate ambition would be to help Mumbai Indians return to their trophy-winning ways in the IPL but he would be determined to resurrect his form in Tests and guide India to their first Test series win in England in 18 years.

By The Way
He doesn’t keep social media apps on phone.

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49. Rajiv Bajaj, 58

Managing Director, Bajaj Auto

Rank last year: 44

Rajiv Bajaj

Why
Bajaj Auto Ltd — one of India’s top two- and three-wheeler makers — continues to build on its strong market position and has a footprint in 70 countries, a far cry from being a largely domestic scooter manufacturer. He is an outspoken industrialist just like his late father Rahul Bajaj. He made headlines by asking industry leaders to walk the talk on a 90-hour work week before prescribing it to others.

Power Punch
Bajaj Auto is India’s top motorcycle exporter and also the world’s largest manufacturer of three-wheelers. It is the world’s first two- and three-wheeler manufacturer to achieve a market capitalisation of over Rs 1 lakh crore.

What Next
Bajaj Auto is soon expected to expand its portfolio of electric two-wheelers and CNG-powered bikes.

By The Way
According to Bajaj, the fundamental principles of yoga and homeopathy have been major factors in shaping his company’s management and product strategies.

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50. JP Nadda, 64

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Chemicals & Fertilisers

Rank last year: 9

After his election to the Rajya Sabha in June 2024, Nadda was named a minister in the Narendra Modi Cabinet for the second time.

JP Nadda

Why
Nadda is the outgoing national president of the BJP and during his term, the party tasted unprecedented electoral success, including a third consecutive win in the Lok Sabha elections last year. After his election to the Rajya Sabha in June 2024, Nadda was named a minister in the Narendra Modi Cabinet for the second time.

Power Punch
Nadda continues to serve as the BJP president on an extension as the party looks to appoint its next national chief, and the BJP under him posted back-to-back electoral victories in Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi. The party set a record with a third consecutive term in Haryana and returned to power in Delhi after nearly three decades. The party’s performance in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Jammu division, was also noteworthy.

What Next
Soon to be replaced as BJP president, he will focus on his responsibilities as a Union minister and the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha.

By The Way
During the Emergency, Nadda and his classmates were arrested twice for raising slogans of ‘Inquilab Zindabad’.

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51. Eknath Shinde, 61

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Shiv Sena President

Rank last year: 48

Though he lost the CM's post after the elections, his Shiv Sena emerged as the second-largest party with 57 seats.

Eknath Shinde

Why
With his back to the wall after the Mahayuti alliance’s Lok Sabha defeat under his leadership as chief minister, his government came up with popular schemes like the Ladki Bahin Yojana that proved to be vital in the Maharashtra Assembly election victory. Though he lost the CM’s post after the elections, his Shiv Sena emerged as the second-largest party with 57 seats. Shinde not only became the Deputy CM but also successfully negotiated portfolio distribution, landing key ministries, including Housing, Urban Development and Industries.

Power Punch
Discounting apprehensions that Shinde’s Sena may not be accepted as the “real” Shiv Sena by the public over the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT), Shinde led his party to the second-highest number of seats in the Assembly polls. This firmly established Shinde as the head of the Shiv Sena.

What Next
The next challenge for Shinde is to emerge victorious in the prestigious civic body polls, especially in Mumbai, which has been controlled by the undivided Shiv Sena for over 25 years.

By The Way
He enjoys vada pav and other traditional Maharashtrian delicacies such as Satara’s kandi pedha and bhadang bhel.

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52. Arvind Kejriwal, 56

Former Delhi Chief Minister; National Convenor, Aam Aadmi Party

Rank last year: 18

Arvind Kejriwal

Why
For a decade, Arvind Kejriwal was at the helm of Delhi’s governance, championing a model of free electricity, mohalla clinics and government schools. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has often taken credit for reshaping politics across India. It is the youngest national party which catapulted itself to power in Delhi and then expanded to Punjab, within a decade of its inception. Recently, the party entered Jammu and Kashmir, by securing a single seat. However, the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections proved to be his toughest political challenge as the party faced anti-incumbency amidst multiple allegations of corruption; AAP lost power in the Capital for the first time since 2015.

Power Punch
Even in defeat, Kejriwal remains one of the strongest voices in the Opposition. He now has his focus on Punjab, the only state where the AAP is in power now.

What Next
Kejriwal has to keep the party relevant in Delhi while expanding its presence in other states — Punjab and Goa, for the 2027 elections.

By The Way
These days, he is busy preparing for his daughter’s wedding which will be held next month.

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53. Tushar Mehta, 60

Solicitor General of India

Rank last year: 51

Tushar Mehta

Why
Since his appointment in October 2018, Tushar Mehta has become one of India’s longest-serving solicitors general. He is the go-to legal strategist for the Centre, Central investigation agencies and BJP-led state governments, especially in politically sensitive cases.

Power Punch
Mehta will retain his position, having received a three-year extension in June 2023. He has appeared as arguing counsel in sensitive and important cases, including those concerning the RG Kar rape-murder incident, the NEET exam results controversy and the case to decide if Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is a minority institution.

What Next
Mehta has been on the backfoot of late, with the court whittling down powers of investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and placing restrictions on their powers through a series of judgments. The court even struck down the Electoral Bonds scheme and provided a template for AMU to be recognised as a minority institution. The responsibility of bouncing back in future cases will fall on his shoulders.

By The Way
A talented caricaturist, he often sketches the people he meets in courtrooms, including opponents and the accused.

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54. Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, 70

Union Minister for Panchayati Raj; Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying

New

Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

Why
Lalan Singh, a four-time Lok Sabha MP who heads two important ministries, is the only Union Cabinet minister from the Janata Dal (United).

Power Punch
Singh remains a trusted ally of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. As the sole JD (U) representative in the Union Cabinet, he plays a crucial role in the NDA’s internal coordination, often hosting dinner meetings for alliance members of Parliament.

What Next
With the fisheries and livestock sectors undergoing a digital revolution, from creating digital identities to securing payments and transactions, Singh’s challenge now is to push for policies that boost this sunrise sector. Politically, his priority will be steering the JD (U) through the Bihar Assembly elections later this year.

By The Way
A passionate gardener, Lalan Singh spends an hour-and-a-half daily tending to his plants, whenever he is home. His Lutyens Delhi bungalow has a thriving kitchen garden where he grows vegetables.

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55. Sarbananda Sonowal, 62

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways

New

Sarbananda Sonowal

Why
After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sarbananda Sonowal was re-inducted into the Union Cabinet, retaining the Ports portfolio he has held since 2021. He continues to be a key face of the BJP in the Northeast. His image as an Assamese nationalist leader helped the BJP localise its appeal in the state.

Power Punch
A Lok Sabha MP from Assam and a member of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Sonowal is also a former chief minister of the state and a former president of Assam’s oldest student body, the All Assam Students’ Union. He has been giving a push to India’s maritime sector through several initiatives, including modernisation and setting guidelines for public-private partnership projects.

What Next
As Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sonowal will oversee development of key logistics projects of national and strategic importance, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic (IMEC) Corridor and the mega trans shipment port at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island.

By The Way
His favourite pastime is fishing.

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56. Jyotiraditya Scindia, 54

Union Minister for Communications; Development of North Eastern Region

New

It was Scindia who had the last laugh as the BJP won 18 seats in Chambal, and reduced the Congress to just 16 from its 2018 tally of 26.

Jyotiraditya Scindia

Why
Jyotiraditya Scindia, a Union minister in the Narendra Modi Cabinet, has transitioned from the Congress to the BJP with ease, displaying his clout not only in his native Madhya Pradesh but also on the national stage.

Power Punch
Naysayers in the Congress had said the BJP would suffer a jolt in Madhya Pradesh’s Chambal division in the 2023 Assembly elections, claiming Scindia did not have a deep connection with voters and his entry in the BJP wouldn’t help. But it was Scindia who had the last laugh as the BJP won 18 seats in Chambal, and reduced the Congress to just 16 from its 2018 tally of 26.

What Next
As the Union Minister for Communications, Scindia has his task cut out to project India as a global technology hub, with focus on 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence and next-generation mobile technologies.

By The Way
Scindia, a fitness enthusiast, makes it a point to spend an hour at the gym daily. He often adds marathons and cricket to his schedule, and if he can’t manage that, he throws in push-up challenges to his team.

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57. Ajit Pawar, 65

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister; President, Nationalist Congress Party

Rank last year: 76

Ajit Pawar

Why
After the NCP’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ajit Pawar’s ability to work independently of his uncle and veteran politician Sharad Pawar was widely questioned. Despite apprehensions in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Ajit kept his cool, distributed resources well and applied winnability as the only criterion for candidate selection. As the Mahayuti stormed to power, the NCP emerged with 41 seats of the 59 it contested and he returned as the Deputy CM.

Power Punch
He successfully negotiated key portfolios for the NCP in the state Cabinet, including retaining the Finance Department. He is now the only Pawar in Maharashtra the BJP cannot ignore.

What Next
Ajit may now aim for MLAs and MPs from Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP). Poaching leaders of his uncle’s faction will not only boost his bargaining power with the BJP, but also establish him as a powerhouse in state politics. Having become the Deputy CM for a record sixth time, the only post in his sight now is that of the CM.

By The Way
A teetotaler, Ajit Pawar handles the state Excise Department, which contributes Rs 15,000 crore to the state exchequer.

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58. Kiren Rijiju, 53

Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs

New

Rijiju is a vocal leader who is not shy to take on the top leadership of the Congress and the Opposition in and outside Parliament.

Kiren Rijiju

Why
Kiren Rijiju handles the two key ministries of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, playing an important role in coordinating and shaping the NDA’s legislative agenda during Parliament sessions.

Power Punch
Rijiju is a vocal leader who is not shy to take on the top leadership of the Congress and the Opposition in and outside Parliament. That was one of the key reasons why he was picked to head the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, a decision that raised eyebrows when it was announced.

What Next
As the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Rijiju introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament last August. Now, it will be Rijiju’s and the NDA government’s priority to oversee its passage in Parliament. While the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Bill has tabled its report, it will be up to him to see that the government has the numbers to see through its passage when the Bill is tabled.

By The Way
Rijiju is an avid sports fan and recently released a video in which he showed off his football skills. He also loves playing badminton, teaming up with P V Sindhu for a friendly match in January to promote the Fit India Movement.

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59. Chirag Paswan, 42

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries

New

Chirag Paswan

Why
A three-term MP, Chirag Paswan is the national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Following a split in the LJP in 2021, months after the demise of his father and party founder Ram Vilas Paswan, Chirag made a comeback in Bihar politics in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, with his party winning all five seats it contested.

Power Punch
While taking his father’s legacy forward, Chirag has consolidated his position. His appeal among sections of youth, Dalits and other socially disadvantaged communities has helped him expand his base in Bihar. With the Narendra Modi government 3.0 relying on NDA allies for a majority, Chirag’s influence has grown significantly as a leader and Union minister.

What Next
The Bihar Assembly elections due in October-November this year would be a major challenge for Chirag. His ability to negotiate a favourable seat-sharing deal for the LJP (RV) within the NDA will test his political acumen and standing. In the 2020 polls, his decision to go solo had backfired, leading to his estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras’s revolt and the LJP’s split.

By The Way
Chirag is a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. Whenever his tours take him near a Jyotirlinga in the country, he makes it a point to visit the shrine.

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60. CR Paatil, 70

Union Minister for Jal Shakti

Rank last year: 67

CR Paatil

Why
A four-time Lok Sabha MP from Gujarat, Paatil has consistently won by record margins in every election. This has helped solidify his position within the BJP hierarchy.

Power Punch
Paatil has been the Gujarat BJP president since 2020, and is among the few in the Central Cabinet who continues to hold key roles within the BJP. He is also known to be a confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What Next
Under his leadership, the Modi government has extended the ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until 2028. In the coming fiscal year, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has been allocated Rs 99,502 crore, which Paatil claims will be used to transform water conservation into a mass movement across the country. However, given the concerns being raised about discrepancies in tap water delivery under the JJM, he will need to fix irregularities, ensure corrective action is taken and there is accountability down the line. On the political front, Paatil is laying the groundwork for the 2026 municipal corporation elections and 2027 Assembly elections in Gujarat.

By The Way
Paatil has transformed his constituency office in Navrasi into a ‘model’ office, where he shares meals with his staff. Visitors receive a framed photo with Paatil on the spot.

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61. Pema Khandu, 45

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister

New

Khandu first entered the Assembly in 2011 as a 31-year-old, filling the shoes of his father and former CM Dorjee Khandu, who died in a helicopter crash.

Pema Khandu

Why
Pema Khandu stamped his authority on the state’s political landscape by securing a landslide victory for the BJP and returning to power for the third consecutive time as CM in 2024.

Power Punch
Khandu first entered the Assembly in 2011 as a 31-year-old, filling the shoes of his father and former CM Dorjee Khandu, who died in a helicopter crash. Over the years, he has risen to command the support of a majority of the MLAs. Khandu proved to be a master strategist, when he was suspended from the Congress and took along 43 MLAs to the BJP. Overnight, the BJP, which had 11 MLAs, became the largest party in the 60-member Assembly. It was under his stewardship that the BJP formed its first government in the state in 2019.

What Next
As the leader of a sensitive border state, Khandu has to handle China. For one, he has to prepare Arunachal Pradesh for the possible consequences of China’s proposed mega dam project in Tibet. And to rev up state revenue, he is looking toward hydroelectric projects.

By The Way
He is an enthusiastic singer and often belts out melodies at public gatherings — from Bollywood classics by Kishore Kumar to John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads.

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62. Vishnu Deo Sai, 61

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister

Rank last year: 77

Under Sai, who became CM of MP in 2023, the campaign against Naxals has intensified.

Vishnu Deo Sai

Why
Sai’s political journey began as a village panch in 1989. He was first elected as an MLA in undivided Madhya Pradesh in 1990. After Chhattisgarh was carved out in 2000, he served as an MP four times and also as Union minister of state in the first Narendra Modi Cabinet. Under Sai, who became CM in 2023, the campaign against Naxals has intensified.

Power Punch
Under his leadership, the BJP dominated last year’s Lok Sabha polls and the local body polls earlier this year. His government has fulfilled major poll promises, including procuring paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal and providing a monthly aid of Rs 1,000 to around 70 lakh women under the Mahatari Vandana Yojana. His government is also seen to be dealing with Naxalism with an iron fist.

What Next
The Sai government’s roadmap aims to double the state’s GDP from Rs 5 lakh crore to Rs 10 lakh crore. It is working to develop Raipur, Bhilai and New Raipur as the State Capital Region (SCR) along the lines of the National Capital Region (NCR).

By The Way
As MP, his official residence in Delhi was called ‘mini-AIIMS’ as it hosted people from his home district of Jashpur and surrounding areas who came for treatment.

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63. Pramod Sawant, 51

Goa Chief Minister

New

Pramod Sawant

Why
Sawant took over the reins of the BJP-led government in Goa after the death of Manohar Parrikar in 2019. He retained the CM’s post as the party won the 2022 Assembly elections under his leadership. Despite dissension within the state BJP and the buzz about a possible change of guard, Sawant has been able to consolidate his position and maintain his dominance in state politics.

Power Punch
Rooted in the RSS, Sawant rose through the ranks in the BJP. A three-time MLA from the Sanquelim constituency, he had also been the Assembly Speaker. Focusing on Goa’s infrastructural development over the last year, he has reiterated his government’s intent to resume mining, claiming it would revive “a key economic backbone” of the state.

What Next
With Goa due for the Assembly polls in 2027, Sawant faces an uphill task, especially since his government has been facing various allegations regarding land conversions and corruption in recent months. In a state where defections often decide electoral outcomes, checking anti-incumbency and managing internal rifts will test his political and leadership skills.

By The Way
Before joining politics, Sawant practised as an ayurvedic doctor at a government-run hospital.

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64. Bhupendra Patel, 62

Gujarat Chief Minister

Rank last year: 71

Bhupendra Patel

Why
Bhupendra Patel entered his second term as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2022 after the party won 156 of the 182 seats — the highest tally in the state’s history. Patel has since led the state and managed to keep away from any controversy. As Ahmedabad bids to be the host of the 2036 Olympics, Patel will have a lot riding on his shoulders.

Power Punch
Patel’s government made some bold moves like creating a new district and adding eight new municipal corporations. In his second term, large-scale demolitions were carried out in coastal districts of Gujarat, to clear the land for tourism and beef up coastal security. To control crime, the Home Department under Patel, who is popularly known as ‘Dada’, has recently begun demolishing illegal properties belonging to alleged criminals, in coordination with municipal authorities.

What Next
The challenges for Patel lie in implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Gujarat, which is the third state in the country that has resolved to implement it.

By The Way
A deeply religious person, Patel follows the Dada Bhagwan Foundation.

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65. Rekha Gupta, 50

Delhi Chief Minister

New

Rekha Gupta

Why
A first-time MLA, Rekha Gupta was chosen by the BJP as the Chief Minister of Delhi after it returned to power following a gap of 26 years. Gupta, who has moorings in the RSS, was the choice of the Central leadership. This gives her power and backing to manage infighting, which has been a long-standing problem for the BJP in Delhi.

Power Punch
Hours after taking oath, her council of ministers passed the Central Government’s flagship scheme — Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which was withheld by the AAP government for years. One of the first reports Gupta tabled in the House was the on contentious New Excise policy 2021, a scheme over which the AAP’s top leadership went to jail.

What Next
Gupta has already started working on a 100-day action plan, setting priorities for the government in different sectors and implementing the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the Mahila Samriddhi Scheme under which the government has promised Rs 2,500 per month to underprivileged women .

By The Way
Gupta is the first Chief Minister of Delhi to have earlier served as a councillor in the Municipal Corporation.

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66. Mohan Yadav, 60

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister

Rank last year: 55

Mohan Yadav

Why
Mohan Yadav had big shoes to fill when he took over as Chief Minister in late 2023, with the legacy of Shivraj Singh Chouhan looming over him. Over the past year, he has managed to take control of the party in the key Hindi heartland state.

Power Punch
Despite several powerful factions in the BJP vying for a better power-sharing agreement in governance, Yadav has managed to edge them out and leave his imprint on his administration’s initiatives. He has focused on the development of Ujjain, which is his home turf, held successful investment summits across the state, not just in capital Bhopal, and focused on developing religious sites connected to Lord Krishna.

What Next
With the BJP’s welfare schemes placing a strain on the exchequer, the next challenge for Yadav is setting the state’s finances in order. He has laid the foundation stone for various industrial units in the Gwalior-Chambal region, hoping they will generate jobs. His big slogan for 2025 is to make Madhya Pradesh a hub of “industry and employment.”

By The Way
The CM is adept at using swords and is skilled at stick-fighting. He often showcases his martial arts skills at public events.

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67. Bhajan Lal Sharma, 58

Rajasthan Chief Minister

Rank last year: 74

Bhajan Lal Sharma

Why
After completing one year as Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal Sharma is now finally in the driver’s seat. The multiple factions within the state BJP are weakening as power consolidates around him.

Power Punch
The BJP put up a good show in the recent Assembly bypolls, improving its tally. After many years, it unseated the Congress’s Ola family from Jhunjhunu and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party from its Khinvsar stronghold. Sharma also organised the Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit in Jaipur last December, where MoUs worth Rs 35 lakh crore were signed.

What Next
Sharma has to dispel the narrative that some of his ministers do not have powers, or they are clueless. With the House witnessing logjams frequently, the CM faces a tricky task of ensuring its smooth functioning. Recently, four ministers could not give “satisfactory” replies to questions asked in a single day, including by a BJP MLA.

By The Way
Sharma prefers to carry food from home as he sticks to a sattvic diet.

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68. Sunil Bharti Mittal, 67

Chairperson, Bharti Enterprises

Rank last year: 88

Sunil Bharti Mittal

Why
One of the pioneers of mobile telephony in India, Sunil Bharti Mittal continues to keep Airtel in the race, particularly after Reliance Jio’s disruptive entry into the telecom sector. While Airtel continues to remain a top telecom player in India, Mittal has expanded the conglomerate’s footprint overseas, particularly in Africa. Along with Jio, Airtel is at the forefront of deploying 5G infrastructure and other next-generation communication technologies.

Power Punch
The company has announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink for satellite-based broadband services in the country. The Airtel-backed OneWeb has the licence to provide satellite communication services in India.

What Next
Airtel is expected to accelerate 5G deployment in the country while preparing the groundwork for future technologies like 6G. With satellite communication services now expected to be in the communication mix sooner rather than later in India, Airtel is expected to be at the forefront in that segment as well.

By The Way
At 18, he set up a business making crankshafts for bikes.

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69. Dr Prathap C Reddy, 92

Founder-Chairman, Apollo Hospitals

New

Dr Prathap C Reddy

Why
He initiated private healthcare in India in 1983, making Apollo one of the country’s largest hospital chains and making quality healthcare accessible. The group has set aside 3.5 per cent of its digital spend on AI, which it plans to increase this year.

Power Punch
The group is using AI tools to ease the workload of doctors and nurses by automating routine tasks, including medical documentation. AI is also being used to predict patients’ risk of complications and improve precision in robotic surgeries.

What Next
The group hopes to set up dedicated cancer centres across the country, including a woman-focused one in Delhi. It is investing Rs 250 crore in a comprehensive oncology centre offering proton therapy. A new facility in Gurugram, four greenfield projects in Chennai, Varanasi and Mumbai and a brownfield expansion in Lucknow are on the horizon. The company is also looking at tele-health growth in international markets, having signed a deal with Mayapada Healthcare Group, Indonesia.

By The Way
He was a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and meditates daily.

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70. Aravind Srinivas, 30

Co-Founder & CEO, Perplexity

New

Perplexity has mastered Artificial Intelligence (AI)-led search results and summaries, catching competitors off guard.

Aravind Srinivas

Why
After years of dominating the online search market, Google has a legitimate competitor in a much smaller and younger start-up, Perplexity, which was founded by Aravind Srinivas. Perplexity has mastered Artificial Intelligence (AI)-led search results and summaries, catching competitors off guard. Srinivas is a rising star in the AI race, with users swearing by the quality of responses generated by Perplexity.

Power Punch
The quality of results that Perplexity generates has forced many of its competitors to build a similar solution. OpenAI recently launched ChatGPT Search and Google is developing capabilities to rival some of what Perplexity offers, including AI-generated summaries and answers on search results pages. Perplexity recently acquired Carbon, a start-up specialising in connecting AI systems to external data sources.

What Next
Currently, Perplexity is an aggregator of various AI models built by other companies such as OpenAI, Meta and DeepSeek. Question is how much it can control underlying datasets.

By The Way
Srinivas is still working in the US on a visa, which technically makes him an Indian citizen.

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71. Ajay Kumar Bhalla, 64

Manipur Governor

New

Ajay Kumar Bhalla

Why
Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who had an extensive career in public administration, having handled key positions, was due to retire from service in November 2020 but the Union Home Secretary finally demitted office on August 24, 2024. He is the only Union Home Secretary in over five decades to complete five or more years in office. Last December, he was appointed Governor of Manipur, a state that has remained on the boil for close to two years.

Power Punch
With N Biren Singh resigning as Manipur Chief Minister in February and the state under President’s Rule, Bhalla is virtually in charge of the state right now.

What Next
Though he has rolled out an amnesty scheme for the surrender of looted weapons, most groups on either side of the ethnic divide in Manipur continue to hold on to sophisticated weapons. There is also no movement yet on talks for a political solution.

By The Way
He recently picked up the hobby of building Lego sets while playing with his five-year-old grandson.

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72. Virat Kohli, 36

Cricketer

Rank last year: 38

Kohli remains the biggest crowd-puller among his colleagues.

Virat Kohli

Why
Virat Kohli keeps raising the benchmarks in One-Day International (ODI) cricket. He stretched his tally of ODI hundreds to 51, crossed 8,000 runs when chasing totals alone, relished under pressure and set up India’s recent Champions Trophy victory. He also completed the white-ball treble with India’s win in the T20 World Cup. Making the conquest sweeter, he top-scored with a half-century against South Africa on a sluggish surface in the final.

Power Punch
Kohli remains the biggest crowd-puller among his colleagues. Fans never get sated seeing him and advertisers are ever ready to sign cheques of astronomical sums to make him their brand ambassador. His fan following on social media continues to soar and he remains the richest present-day cricketer in the world. He might no longer be the captain of his country or club but on the field, he remains world cricket’s central figure.

What Next
The quest for winning an IPL title burns bright in him but he would be equally resolved to rekindle his hundred-scoring ways in Tests in the tour to England.

By The Way
At a recent Ranji game, he asked the staff to prepare his old favourite, chilli paneer.

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73. Konidela Pawan Kalyan, 53

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM; Actor

New

Pawan Kalyan spearheaded his party's campaign to take its tally from one MLA to 21 Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 polls- getting him the Deputy CM post

Konidela Pawan Kalyan

Why
A popular actor dubbed “power star”, Pawan Kalyan’s political career did not take off for years after he launched the Jana Sena Party (JSP) in March 2014. Then he joined hands with Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu and negotiated with the BJP for the formation of an alliance; it sealed the fate of his rival Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP in the 2024 elections.

Power Punch
Pawan Kalyan spearheaded his party’s campaign to take its tally from one MLA to 21 Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 polls, and got elevated to the Deputy CM’s post. He seeks to keep the TDP-led NDA government in check, frequently ticking off ministers or taking officials to task for any perceived administrative “lapses.” He has also become vocal on the cause of Sanatan Dharma.

What Next
He is looking to consolidate and strengthen his party in a bid to emerge as a major player in Andhra Pradesh politics. He has vowed to ensure implementation of schemes promised by the NDA coalition.

By The Way
He is the only actor-politician who shifted base from Hyderabad and has now built a house in his constituency, Pithapuram.

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74. Vijay, 50

Tamil Superstar, Founder, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam

New

Vijay

Why
One of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, Vijay has now stepped into full-time politics, marking the first such plunge by a Tamil superstar after MG Ramachandran. Vijay made a splash in state politics last year when he floated his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He is now looking to emerge as a significant player in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Power Punch
Vijay’s influence extends beyond films with his punch lines often doubling as his political statements. He is positioning himself as a rival of both the BJP at the Centre and the DMK in the state. His famous speech at the TVK’s inaugural rally made a mark as he slammed the BJP for “communal, divisive politics” while tearing into the DMK over “corrupt governance.”

What Next
Vijay is aiming to garner a double-digit vote share in the 2026 polls, which would test his political viability. While his political debut has unsettled both the DMK and the AIADMK, he faces an uphill task in converting his massive fan following into a strong political base for his party, which seems to lack a structured cadre and a compelling narrative as of now.

By The Way
He often enjoys cycling along Chennai’s East Coast Road.

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75. TV Somanathan, 59

Cabinet Secretary, Government of India

Rank last year: 66

A 1987-batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, Somanathan has been a key figure in shaping the government's policies ever since 2015.

TV Somanathan

Why
T V Somanathan is currently the Cabinet Secretary — the highest post in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). A 1987-batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, Somanathan has been a key figure in shaping the government’s policies ever since 2015 — first in the Prime Minister’s Office and later in the Ministry of Finance. During his stint as finance secretary, he was instrumental in designing the Unified Pension Scheme at a time when pension reform was among the key issues in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Power Punch
He plays a pivotal role in advising the Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet, overseeing governance to ensure the administration’s smooth functioning. He has introduced several governance-boosting initiatives, including an Open House system that allows officers to meet him without prior appointments.

What Next
With the government proposing a roadmap for Developed India 2047, Somanathan will be at the forefront of implementing key reforms on a range of issues, including the planned rollout of One Nation, One Election as well as women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies.

By The Way
Somanathan went to a secondary school in northern Nigeria where he learnt the Hausa language.

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76. Nikhil Kamath, 38

Co-Founder & CFO, Zerodha

New

Nikhil Kamath

Why
Nikhil Kamath is the co-founder and chief financial officer of Zerodha, one of the leading discount stock broking firms. He is the youngest billionaire inthe country.

Power Punch
Kamath runs a podcast series, People by WTF, where he hosts industry experts and famous personalities from various segments across the globe. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared as a guest and spoke on wide-ranging topics from the country’s technological advancements to social media, politics and his term as Gujarat chief minister. Other big names to have featured in the podcast include Kumar Mangalam Birla, Nandan Nilekani and Bill Gates.

What Next
Amid heightened competition and tight regulatory norms aimed at curbing speculative trading and safeguarding investors’ interest, Zerodha, under the leadership of Nikhil Kamath and his brother Nithin Kamath, has to reinvent its business model. Kamath’s Gruhas Venture Capital has partnered with real estate major Brigade Group to launch a real estate tech and sustainability-focused investment fund worth Rs 300 crore, claiming to be India’s first.

By The Way
Kamath loves reading and also enjoys a game of chess.

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77. Sharad Pawar, 84

President, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar)

Rank last year: 94

Sharad Pawar

Why
Unfazed by the political setbacks that led to the split in his party, Sharad Pawar continues to remain the unchallenged Opposition voice against the BJP-led government in Maharashtra. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Pawar took many by surprise when his party, the NCP (SP), won eight of the 10 seats it contested. The Assembly polls held months later were a blow, with his party being reduced to just 10 seats. But the astute Pawar is back rebuilding his organisation.

Power Punch
Pawar is a man of all seasons as he shared the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event to commemorate Marathi literature recently. As part of the same programme, Pawar even gave an award to political rival Eknath Shinde.

What Next
The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the NCP (SP), Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, started out strong but has been losing momentum lately due to the lack of a common agenda. Pawar is expected to give the grouping a definite direction to take on the Fadnavis government in local body polls.

By The Way
Pawar devotes time every day to listen to Hindustani classical musicians such as Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar and Malini Rajurkar.

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78. PK Mishra, 76

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister

Rank last year: 52

PK Mishra

Why
A 1972-batch IAS officer from the Gujarat cadre, PK Mishra is among the most important bureaucrats in the country, implementing the Prime Minister’s directives on governance and development policies. He has experience across a swathe of sectors — agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure and power and regulatory issues.

Power Punch
Mishra has been a key figure in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for 11 years, initially as the Additional Principal Secretary (2014-19) and as the Principal Secretary since September 2019. He shares a strong working relationship with PM Narendra Modi, having earned his trust and worked with him in various capacities over the years. Trusted for his expertise, he plays a crucial role in senior-level appointments and policy formulation, and oversees the execution of key government initiatives.

What Next
Mishra’s primary challenge will be navigating the NDA government’s electoral reform agenda, particularly the “One Nation, One Election” proposal, given the BJP’s reduced strength in the 18th Lok Sabha.

By The Way
An avid reader, Mishra has a deep interest in agriculture and disaster management. In 2019, he was conferred a UN award for disaster management.

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79. Manoj Sinha, 65

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor

Rank last year: 53

Manoj Sinha

Why
While an elected government has been in place in Jammu and Kashmir since October last year, L-G Manoj Sinha continues to be a key political figure in the Union Territory (UT), holding sway over law and order, security and bureaucracy. Major financial decisions of the elected government need his clearance.

Power Punch
The amendments made to the J&K Reorganisation Act just before last year’s Assembly polls enhanced his powers relating to the police, public order, all-India services, transfers and postings. The amendments give L-G the power to appoint the UT’s Advocate-General and other law officers besides giving him a say on sanction for prosecution and filing of appeals.

What Next
Sinha recently asserted that he had no difficulty working with the elected government and that not even a single file was stuck at Raj Bhawan. Amid the possibility of a conflict with the Omar Abdullah government on crucial issues like bureaucracy and law and order, his challenge is to avoid a Delhi-like situation which was reflected by the tussle between the previous Aam Aadmi Party government and the L-G.

By The Way
He enjoys reading Rashmirathi, an epic Hindi poem by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.

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80. Kiran Nadar, 74

Founder, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art

Rank last year: 57

Kiran Nadar

Why
Leading art collector, philanthropist and founder-chairperson of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), India’s first private museum of modern and contemporary art, Kiran Nadar boasts a collection of more than 15,000 works. Wife of industrialist Shiv Nadar, the Padma Shri awardee is known to be a competitive bidder at auctions, acquiring, among others, Amrita Sher-Gil’s The Story Teller, SH Raza’s Saurashtra and FN Souza’s Birth.

Power Punch
Nadar set a record for the highest price achieved by an Indian artwork when she paid a staggering $13.8 million (over Rs 118 crore) for MF Husain’s 1954 canvas Untitled (Gram Yatra) at a Christie’s auction in New York in March. This is also the first time an Indian artwork crossed the Rs 100-crore mark.

What Next
Nadar is set to open a new museum and cultural centre in Delhi in 2026. With multiple educational programmes for both children and adults, her outreach initiatives have helped engage people across ages, apart from supporting exhibitions of Indian art both here and abroad.

By The Way
A bridge player, she won the country gold at the fifth Commonwealth Nations Bridge Championship in 2018.

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81. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, 53

Congress MP, Wayanad

Rank last year: 62

Priyanka contested the Wayanad bypoll in November last year and won it by a margin of 4.10 lakh votes.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Why
After playing an instrumental role in her brother Rahul Gandhi’s campaign for Rae Bareli during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Priyanka contested the Wayanad bypoll in November last year and won it by a margin of 4.10 lakh votes. Since then, she has been a prominent voice of the Congress in and outside Parliament. Known as the conscience keeper of her mother, Sonia Gandhi (now a Rajya Sabha member), the articulate and combative Priyanka’s presence in Lok Sabha is expected to boost the party’s fire power.

Power Punch
Despite being a first-time MP, Priyanka was entrusted with opening the debate in the House on the Constitution on behalf of the Opposition in December last year. In her debut speech, she hit out at the BJP and the RSS, calling out the Narendra Modi government for creating an atmosphere of fear and stifling free speech.

What Next
There has been much speculation in Congress circles that Priyanka may be gearing up for a bigger responsibility within the party in the coming months. She is the only AICC General Secretary without any responsibilities.

By The Way
She loves chocolate, especially with nuts.

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82. Shashi Tharoor, 69

Congress MP, Thiruvananthapuram

Rank last year: 84

Shashi Tharoor

Why
One of the Congress’s most articulate parliamentarians, he speaks up on pertinent issues even at party fora. A prolific writer, the four-time MP is considered one of India’s foremost experts on global affairs.

Power Punch
He heads the all-important Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs and is known to hold his own even though this has often put his party in an uneasy position. Recently, the MP praised the start-up boom in Kerala under Left rule and also said he was left with “egg on my face” for opposing India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war when it began in 2022.

What Next
If the Congress has to stop the Left from winning the Kerala Assembly polls for the third straight time, in 2026, Tharoor will have an important role to play. But, how the party leadership reins in his detractors in the state and utilises him will be among the things to watch out for.

By The Way
Shashi Tharoor played the role of Antony with filmmaker Mira Nair as Cleopatra in a play in 1974, when he was a student at St Stephen’s College.

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83. Jasprit Bumrah, 31

Cricketer

New

Jasprit Bumrah

Why
Bumrah has made a batsman-obsessed nation fall in love with a fast bowler. Be it the T20 World Cup (15 wickets) or the series against Australia (32 wickets), Bumrah was the man India turned to for a miracle. He also exhibited his captaincy nous by guiding India to their lone treasurable moment in Tests last year.

Power Punch
Bumrah has showed he is not just a match-winner but a supreme tactician as well. He led India in two Tests in Australia, illustrated that he had the smarts, wisdom and composure to become a captain, that his bowling would not be held hostage to the burden of leadership. Few Indian cricketers after Tendulkar have won global awe and admiration as he has. Even the hard-to-win Australian crowd and pundits could not but rave about this once-in-a-generation fast bowler.

What Next
Rehabbing from a back injury, he would look to hit the straps at some point during the IPL. But the blazing dream would be to help script a series win in England, like he nearly did in 2021.

By The Way
A Sikh in the Gujarat Ranji Trophy team, which is usually dominated by Patels, Bumrah was referred to as Sardar Patel.

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84. Tuhin Kanta Pandey, 59

Chairman, SEBI

New

As revenue secretary, he was behind the overhaul of income tax slabs and the customs duty structure.

Tuhin Kanta Pandey

Why
Tuhin Kanta Pandey became the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) at a time when the regulatory body for the capital market came under a cloud over conflict of interest issues. As revenue secretary, he was behind the overhaul of income tax slabs and the customs duty structure. Pandey played a key role in the privatisation of Air India, Neelachal Ispat and the IPO of LIC.

Power Punch
He said the market regulator will come out with a plan to disclose any conflict of interest of its board members to the public, as a step to improve trust and transparency. There were a host of allegations about conflict of interest against Pandey’s predecessor Madhabi Puri Buch.

What Next
Pandey has to retain retail investor confidence in the stock market amid the market volatility triggered by tariff wars and economic slowdown. He will have to ensure the Indian capital market is healthy and free of manipulative practices.

By The Way
Known to be have been one of India’s busiest secretaries in the Modi 3.0 government, Pandey is not on any social media platform.

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85. DK Shivakumar, 62

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister

Rank last year: 72

The deputy CM is expected to continue to stake a claim to be the next CM.

DK Shivakumar

Why
Shivakumar’s stature within the Congress continues to grow, mainly owing to his handling of the Major and Medium Irrigation and the Bengaluru City Development Departments under him. He has seen through the projects and policies under him assertively. Among the leaders of the South, Shivakumar, too, has been calling for fair delimitation.

Power Punch
As minister in charge of Bengaluru development, Shivakumar announced 700-800 km of new roads that would be added to the city, besides double-decker flyovers and new Metro projects, in a build up to ‘Brand Bengaluru’. Despite the scepticism over its feasibility, he has managed to push ahead the idea of creating tunnel roads in Bengaluru, at a cost of over Rs 50,000 crore, to alleviate the city’s traffic woes.

What Next
Though the proposed “rotational chief minister formula” hasn’t taken off, the deputy CM is expected to continue to stake a claim to be the next CM.

By The Way
Shivakumar became the youngest minister in Karnataka at 27. He was appointed minister of state in S Bangarappa’s Congress government in 1991.

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86. Tejashwi Yadav, 35

Leader of Opposition, Bihar Assembly

Rank last year: 73

As the Bihar elections are due later this year, RJD's challenge is to get a simple majority of 122 seats on its own.

Tejashwi Yadav

Why
Leading his party to 75 seats in the 2020 Bihar Assembly polls, Tejashwi Yadav established himself as the rightful heir to his father Lalu Prasad’s legacy in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The tally led him to become the deputy CM of the state and he continued in the post until January 2024, when the JD (U) left the partnership with the RJD to join the BJP. But in the last year, he has emerged as the principal challenger to the BJP-JD(U) alliance, taking on the parties relentlessly.

Power Punch
From his promises to end unemployment to his attacks on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav has been able to articulate his politics: a mix of the RJD’s social justice ideas and the concerns of the youth that he represents.

What Next
Power has eluded RJD on its own for 19 years now. As the Bihar elections are due later this year, RJD’s challenge is to get a simple majority of 122 seats on its own.

By The Way
He loves wearing jeans and T-shirt in the little off time he gets away from politics.

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87. Akhilesh Yadav, 51

President, Samajwadi Party

Rank last year: 75

Akhilesh Yadav

Why
The former Uttar Pradesh CM leads the third-largest party in the Lok Sabha and is one of the fulcrums of the Opposition INDIA bloc. In last year’s elections, Akhilesh Yadav’s SP dealt a massive blow to the BJP by bagging most of the Lok Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh (37).

Power Punch
By giving his party its best performance in parliamentary polls, he stopped the BJP juggernaut in UP. With this, Yadav established his place at the heart of national politics. He is one of the more well-spoken Opposition leaders who has, in his repertoire, a steady supply of witty and sarcastic one-liners that he deploys in Parliament when taking on the BJP.

What Next
While Akhilesh’s immediate test will be navigating the currents of national politics and strengthening the INDIA bloc, his big test is the UP Assembly elections in 2027. The SP will look to prevent Yogi Adityanath from completing a hat-trick and returning to power after 10 long years. With this in mind, he has already started outreach initiatives for OBCs, Dalits and minorities.

By The Way
Akhilesh loves to play tennis and has a tennis court at his home in Lucknow.

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88. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, 57

Union Minister for Culture, Tourism

Rank last year: 70

Shekhawat, a three-term Lok Sabha MP, heads the culture and tourism ministry.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Why
Shekhawat, a three-term Lok Sabha MP, heads the culture and tourism ministries — both crucial for the BJP’s vision.

Power Punch
The BJP’s resounding victory in Shekhawat’s home state of Rajasthan in the 2023 Assembly elections came as another boost for the leader. He not only retained his place in the Modi 3.0 Cabinet but his political clout in his home state remains strong as ever.

What Next
Shekhawat’s focus will be on ensuring the effective rollout of culture and tourism initiatives planned by the Modi 3.0 government. The recent announcement of an investment of Rs 3,295.76 crore for the development of 40 projects across 23 states is aimed at enhancing tourism infrastructure and upgrading iconic tourist centres. It will be crucial for Shekhawat to get these projects off the ground. Also, with Bihar elections round the corner, expect programmes there, especially in popular tourism sites such as Sitamarhi, Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda.

By The Way
Shekhawat has a soft spot for mirchi bada, the spicy snack from Jodhpur.

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89. Asaduddin Owaisi, 55

President, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen

Rank last year: 78

Under Owaisi's leadership, the AIMIM has continued to hold its supremacy in seven Assembly seats in Hyderabad.

Asaduddin Owaisi

Why
Asaduddin Owaisi is one of the most influential Muslim leaders in the country. The AIMIM, led by him, has notched up seats in various elections in three states — Telangana, Maharashtra and Bihar. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he won from Hyderabad for a fifth consecutive term.

Power Punch
Under Owaisi’s leadership, the AIMIM has continued to hold its supremacy in seven Assembly seats in Hyderabad. Over the years, his party has made foray into several states. It had earlier won the Aurangabad parliamentary seat and two Assembly seats in Maharashtra. The party has also picked seats in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation as well as the municipalities of Modasa, Godhra and Bharuch in Gujarat.

What Next
Owaisi continues to open party offices in new places. In the forthcoming Bihar Assembly polls, his party is likely to play a bigger role and is hoping to notch up more than the five seats it did in 2020, even though it is not aligned to either the ruling NDA or the Opposition INDIA bloc.

By The Way
He plays cricket and loves books on history.

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90. H D Kumaraswamy, 65

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel

New

Kumaraswamy heads two key ministries in the Union Cabinet.

H D Kumaraswamy

Why
Janata Dal (S) president and BJP ally Kumaraswamy clinched a decisive victory over the Congress in Mandya, Karnataka, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With this win, the former chief minister has not only managed to regain the relevance of the JD (S) in state politics but also demonstrated that the party cannot be written off as an ally. Kumaraswamy heads two key ministries in the Union Cabinet.

Power Punch
As Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Kumaraswamy oversees multiple Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, spanning auto components, white goods like ACs and LED lights, advanced cell chemistry batteries and specialty steel.

What Next
With global trade shifting toward sustainability — exemplified by the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) that imposes a carbon tax on non-green steel — Kumaraswamy is expected to spearhead initiatives promoting sustainable industrial practices.

By The Way
He once produced Kannada films.

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91. Kumar Mangalam Birla, 57

Chairperson, Aditya Birla Group

Rank last year: 85

Kumar Mangalam Birla

Why
Kumar Mangalam Birla has led his conglomerate, Aditya Birla Group, on an expansion spree. Now it has a global footprint, present in over 30 countries. The market capitalisation of the group — which has marquee subsidiaries such as UltraTech Cement, Hindalco Industries, Aditya Birla Capital, Grasim Industries, and Vodafone Idea Limited — surpassed the $100 billion mark for the first time last year. He hopes to consolidate both the home and US markets.

Power Punch
The group announced its entry into the beauty and personal care industry this year with Birla Cosmetics and the retail jewellery business with Indriya. By his admission, UltraTech now produces more than 1.5 times the total cement output of the US and holds a capacity greater than 80 per cent of Europe’s.

What Next
The group plans to invest Rs 50,000 crore in Rajasthan. Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) is making big gains in luxury, designer brands and high-end ethnic wear business.

By The Way
Birla is the Chancellor of BITS, which has campuses in Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Dubai.

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92. Allu Arjun, 42

Actor

New

Allu Arjun

Why
The Telugu actor has hit superstardom with the success of his 2021 film Pushpa: The Rise and its 2024 sequel Pushpa 2: The Rule. His trademark hand gesture grazing his beard in Pushpa went viral with even international cricketers mimicking it on the field. In December, Arjun was booked by the Hyderabad police after his presence at the screening of Pushpa 2 at the city’s Sandhya Theatre led to a stampede. The actor is out on bail.

Power Punch
Arjun has been delivering one blockbuster after another and the Pushpa franchise’s phenomenal success has established him as one of the country’s biggest stars. He became the first Telugu actor in 67 years to get a National Award for best actor for his lead role as Pushpa Raj in Pushpa: The Rise.

What Next
With his two Pushpa films proving to be huge box office hits, all eyes are now on Arjun’s third film in this franchise – Pushpa 3: The Rampage. He is currently working on a film directed by Atlee, marking their first collaboration. He will then collaborate with Trivikram Srinivas on a new project.

By The Way
Arjun had campaigned in the 2024 Andhra Pradesh polls for his friend and then YSRCP MLA from Nandyala, Ravichandra Kishore Reddy, who lost the election.

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93. Ramdev, 59

Yoga Guru, Patanjali Yogpeeth

Rank last year: 86

The most influential yoga guru of the country, he has acquired a mass following by popularizing asanas via television

Ramdev

Why
The most influential yoga guru of the country, he has acquired a mass following by popularising asanas via television. He made pranayamas look easy and adaptable to everybody’s daily routine, appealing across age groups with this simple yoga routine. His Patanjali group is known for its range of Ayurvedic and wellness products, including foods and home care items.

Power Punch
He is the face of the Patanjali Group, which sells a variety of consumer goods and had an income of Rs 9,33,532 crore in 2023-24. He entered the general insurance sector by acquiring a majority stake in Magma General Insurance. The group is betting on its huge distribution strength that allows it access to rural markets and wants to mine the under-represented insurance market. He just opened a food and herbal park in Nagpur.

What Next
Ramdev’s next target is to make the Patanjali Group achieve a turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore in the next four years. He is diversifying his consumer goods bouquet.

By The Way
After he posted a recent video showing him running next to a horse, he got into an online banter with American entrepreneur Bryan Johnson over air quality in Haridwar.

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94. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, 61

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister

Rank last year: 90

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Why
Belonging to a non-political family, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu rose up the Congress ranks before taking over as the chief minister in December 2022. He is the lone Congress CM in north India. He has undertaken several social and economic reforms, making Himachal the first state to legally recognise orphans as “children of the state” under the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Scheme. The state’s per capita income has risen, too.

Power Punch
Sukhu is pushing for a “green industrial revolution” in the hill state, betting on solar energy, green hydrogen and food processing. The proposed 200 MW solar project in Kangra signals its commitment to green energy. His government has guaranteed a minimum support price (MSP) for dairy farmers — Rs 55 per litre for buffalo milk and Rs 45 for cow milk. Fulfilling a key poll pledge, it restored the old pension scheme (OPS) for 1.36 lakh employees.

What Next
His government is intensifying its crackdown on the drug mafia. Sukhu has vowed to make Himachal a “self-reliant state” by 2027 and among India’s most prosperous states by 2032.

By The Way
Sukhu is a music and movie buff.

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95. V Narayanan, 60

Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

New

Narayanan will be keenly watched as he takes ISRO to greater heights, and accelerates the growth of India's nascent space economy.

V Narayanan

Why
The relatively low-key career space scientist now occupies one of the high-profile positions in Indian science. His appointment as chairman of ISRO has come at a time when the space agency is preparing for a number of big-ticket missions, including India’s first human spaceflight. Narayanan will be keenly watched as he takes ISRO to greater heights, and accelerates the growth of India’s nascent space economy. His success would be key to India cementing its place as one of the pre-eminent space powers of this age.

Power Punch
Narayanan is one of the leading people to have made the indigenous development of a cryogenic engine possible. This is a technology that was denied to India and ISRO managed to master the technology at home. He is also credited with the design and development of CE20 cryogenic engine that powers the LVM-3 rockets used in the Chandrayaan missions.

What Next
His biggest test is the successful execution of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, now expected in 2026.

By The Way
Narayanan was in Class I when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969.

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96. Karan Johar, 52

Filmmaker, Producer

Rank last year: 97

Karan Johar

Why
A prominent mover and shaker of the Hindi film industry, Karan Johar has expanded his business rapidly, having made his directorial debut with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998. He has ventured into advertising with Dharma 2.0, launched Dharmatic Entertainment dedicated to OTT content and a talent management agency called Dharma Cornerstone Agency. He has just announced his “proudest project” with his 24th debutant filmmaker. Claiming that 90 per cent of his filmmakers are outsiders, he has rebuffed those who accuse him of promoting nepotism.

Power Punch
In October 2024, Johar sold 50 per cent stake in Dharma Productions for Rs 1,000 crore to Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India. The stake was sold to Poonawalla’s Serene Productions. A strategic move, this deal is likely to help Dharma Productions expand its catalogue and consolidate its business. He is also on a fitness spree, losing weight and claiming he eats clean.

What Next
Johar is backing Dhadak 2, a romantic drama featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Tripti Dimri.

By The Way
His Gauri Khan-designed walk-in closet stores a collection of oversized luxe outfits.

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97. Shah Rukh Khan, 59

Actor, Producer, Entrepreneur

Rank last year: 27

Even though he did not have a theatrical release in 2024, SRK remains the country's top celebrity.

Shah Rukh Khan

Why
Even though he did not have a theatrical release in 2024, he remains the country’s top celebrity, astute businessman and a sought-after brand ambassador, having redefined star power and influenced popular culture. According to the 2024 Hurun India Rich List, Shah Rukh Khan’s net worth has reached an impressive Rs 7,300 crore.

Power Punch
Khan has started shooting for King, the most ambitious project of his illustrious career. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film’s title seems to be a hat tip to the superstar’s status as “King Khan.” The film is expected to release in 2026. After its 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) win, the valuation of his cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) surged by 19.3 per cent to $216 million.

What Next
Khan, who turns 60 this year, is backing his son Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, a Netflix series titled The Ba***ds of Bollywood.

By The Way
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin gave a warm shoutout to Khan during his concert in January 2025 while Dua Lipa’s Mumbai concert featured a mashup of her song Levitating with Woh Ladki Jo, which is picturised on Khan.

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98. Diljit Dosanjh, 41

Actor, Popstar

New

Dosanjh's rise from Dosanjh Kalan in Jalandhar to a global popstar has been meteoric.

Diljit Dosanjh

Why
From becoming the first Indian artiste to perform at Coachella, the first Punjabi performer to appear on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, from making Ed Sheeran sing in Punjabi to seamlessly transitioning from Punjabi films to Bollywood, Dosanjh’s rise from Dosanjh Kalan in Jalandhar to a global popstar has been meteoric.

Power Punch
Dosanjh has gained a reputation for political and social comments, besides being a disruptor. He has supported farmers’ protests, and broken social and cultural stereotypes by wearing his dastaar (turban) and traditional folk outfit globally. Wearing Punjabiyat on his sleeve, he has found affection from across the border as well. His recent meeting with PM Modi, where he sang an ode to Guru Nanak, went viral.

What Next
Besides taking his Dil-luminati tour to Europe, Dosanjh will be seen in Punjab 95, Honey Trehan’s film on Jaswant Singh Khalra who worked on exposing human rights violations and extra judicial killings of Sikh youths during the militancy of the ’90s. His other films include Border 2, No Entry 2 and Sardar Ji 3.

By The Way
He is a luxury car and sneaker aficionado.

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99. Amitabh Bachchan, 82

Actor

Rank last year: 99

Amitabh Bachchan

Why
Amitabh Bachchan continues to dominate Indian cinema more than 50 years after he grabbed public attention as “the angry young man.” He remains a popular brand ambassador and a television host with the long-running game show Kaun Banega Crorepati continuing to enjoy a large viewership even after over two decades. That apart, he delivered a power-packed performance as Ashwatthama in the sci-fi Kalki 2898 AD (2024). He also appeared in Tamil-language action drama Vettaiyan (2024) with Rajinikanth.

Power Punch
Bachchan became India’s highest tax-paying celebrity for the financial year 2024-25, paying Rs 120 crore on earnings of Rs 350 crore. He reportedly surpassed Shah Rukh Khan, who had paid Rs 92 crore in taxes last financial year.

What Next
Bachchan is expected to begin shooting for the sequel of Kalki 2898 by the end of this year. He will also be seen in the courtroom drama Section 84. He is expected to feature in two more editions of the Brahmastra franchise.

By The Way
He thinks applying make-up and fixing his hair on the sets is just a “bother” since, he says, it won’t change his face.

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100. Alia Bhatt, 32

Actor, Producer

Rank last year: 79

Even though her action-thriller Jigra failed to make a mark at the box-office, Bhatt has two major projects in her kitty.

Alia Bhatt

Why
The actor-producer, who is also the first Indian to be Gucci’s global ambassador, made her international debut with the Netflix spy-thriller Heart of Stone (2023). With the success of the Karan Johar-directed Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani (2023) and the National Film Award for Best Actress for Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), she has strengthened her position as a top star and pushed the envelope for scripts headlined by women actors.

Power Punch
Even though her action-thriller Jigra failed to make a mark at the box-office, Bhatt has two major projects in her kitty. Yash Raj Films’ ambitious spy thriller Alpha, with Bhatt in the lead, is set to release this year. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Love and War, featuring her along with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, will release in 2026. Phool.co, the IIT-backed company that makes incense sticks from floral waste and where Bhatt is investor, has witnessed a growth of 130 per cent. Given her high net worth, she is estimated to be richer than many male actors in the film industry.

What Next
Bhatt will make her maiden appearance at Cannes Film Festival in May.

By The Way
Her favourite dish is mac and cheese.