Mumbai has emerged as the top hub for India’s most influential women, according to the 2025 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List, which recognises 97 exceptional women across nine categories and five core pillars of the Indian economy. The Women Leaders List features women leaders spanning nine categories, including professionals, first-generation wealth creators, next-generation leaders, investors, philanthropists, young women leaders, artists, most-followed influencer founders, and celebrity investors.

Leading the professionals category is Shanti Ekambaram (62), Deputy Managing Director of Mumbai-headquartered Kotak Mahindra Bank, with her company valued at ₹3.81 lakh crore. Radha Vembu (52), co-founder of Zoho Corporation, tops the list of first-generation wealth creators, with a net worth of ₹55,300 crore, and resides in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.

Representing the next-generation women leaders is Delhi-based Roshni Nadar Malhotra (43), Chairperson of HCL Technologies, which has a company valuation of ₹4.87 lakh crore. Shweta Jalan (48), Managing Director at Mumbai-based Advent International, leads the investor category. In the philanthropy category, Rohini Nilekani (65) from Bengaluru tops with total donations amounting to ₹154 crore through Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.

Among young leaders, Devanshi Kejriwal (28), co-founder and CPO of Mumbai-based Skillmatics, represents a new generation of entrepreneurs. The oldest woman featured on the list is Delhi-based Arpita Singh (87), one of India’s top 10 women artists, with a reported turnover of ₹22.9 crore.

In the digital space, Mrunal Panchal (26), founder of MRUCHA Beauty, is the most followed influencer entrepreneur, with 5.5 million Instagram followers, and is based in Vapi, Gujarat. Shraddha Kapoor (37), a Bollywood actor and investor in brands like MyGlamm, Shunya, Koo, and Chargeup, leads the celebrity investor category with 94.1 million followers on Instagram. She is based in Mumbai.

Sanjay Raghuraman, Managing Director, Candere, said: "Our association with the 2025 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List is a tribute to women who are reshaping India’s economic and cultural narrative with purpose and perseverance. Just as our jewellery is designed to empower women in their everyday lives — balancing ambition with elegance — this initiative honours those who lead with resilience, creativity and impact. It’s a celebration of substance, style, and strength."

Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher, Hurun India: "This first-of-its-kind collaboration between Hurun India and Candere underscores the power of partnership in championing the rise of women leaders. From the meteoric rise of Roshni Nadar into the world’s top 10 richest women to the strategic philanthropy of Rohini Nilekani, and the surge of women-led innovation in AI, sustainability, and culture, this list is more than a ranking—it’s a testament to the transformational impact women are making across India’s economy."

The average age of the women on the list is 51 years, with 25% aged between 26 and 35, indicating a strong presence of emerging young leaders. Delhi University (13) and Mumbai University (9) are the most represented institutions at the undergraduate level, while Harvard (5) and Stanford (4) top the postgraduate list. By sector, financial services leads with 23 women, followed by consumer goods with 18. Among sun signs, Scorpios (14%) and Virgos (13%) are the most represented.