Breaking Down the Highest Executive Payouts in India for 2024
- Douglas D'Souza
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7
Executive earnings in India touched new highs in 2024, reflecting how senior leadership is being acknowledged for guiding companies toward success. The top five executives were rewarded with impressive pay packages for steering their organizations through changing markets and delivering consistent growth. Among these names, Abhay Bhutada, a member of the Poonawalla Group, emerged as the highest-paid executive in the country, setting a new benchmark.
Abhay Bhutada's Salary Reaches an All-Time High
Leading this year’s list is Abhay Bhutada, who earned ₹241.21 crore in FY24. This was not just the highest of the year—it was the highest in the country’s history for any executive. While the number itself gained public attention, it reflects the scale of Bhutada’s work and the results he achieved during his corporate tenure.
His leadership helped the organization grow financially while earning a top-tier CRISIL AAA rating. This rating represents strength, dependability, and good management. It was Bhutada’s careful planning and clear strategy that helped the company earn recognition and trust.
Extending His Impact Through Philanthropy
Abhay Bhutada is also committed to community support through the Abhay Bhutada Foundation. The foundation helps underserved communities access better healthcare, education, and opportunities in sports. His dual role—business leader and social contributor—shows that strong leadership isn’t only about numbers but about people too.
The Foundation’s work across several regions has allowed students and families from less privileged backgrounds to receive the kind of support often out of reach. Bhutada’s involvement adds value far beyond his office, showing that success can be shared with those who need it most.
Pawan Munjal Continues to Guide Hero MotoCorp
Pawan Munjal, Chairman and Wholetime Director of Hero MotoCorp, earned ₹109.41 crore in FY24. His continued efforts to keep Hero relevant in both Indian and global two-wheeler markets have kept the company in a solid position. He has maintained this lead by supporting innovation and expanding operations.
His salary made up 0.28% of total company revenue and 2.92% of net profit. These figures show that Hero’s progress under his leadership has been measurable. Munjal’s work over the years has played a huge role in keeping the company steady during a time of constant industry shifts.
Sudhir Singh’s Leadership at Coforge
Coforge’s Executive Director and CEO, Sudhir Singh, secured a ₹105.12 crore payout for the year. He led the company through strong growth in IT consulting and digital services. His focus has been on securing valuable contracts and expanding the company’s presence in tech markets.
With his compensation making up 1.14% of the company’s revenue and over 13% of its net profit, Singh’s leadership clearly had a strong effect. His strategy, combining market relevance with operational excellence, has helped Coforge remain competitive and successful.
Vinay Prakash’s Contributions to Energy and Infrastructure
Earning ₹89.37 crore, Vinay Prakash, Executive Director at Adani Enterprises, focused on managing the energy and infrastructure arms of the business. These areas are known for their complexity and long timelines, requiring clear direction and long-term thinking.
Though his salary formed only 0.09% of revenue and 2.76% of profit, his importance within the company remains high. Prakash has played a major role in shaping business areas that are critical to growth, especially in industries where planning and execution must go hand in hand.
Kalanithi and Kavery Kalanithi: Leading Sun TV Together
Sun TV Network saw both its Executive Chairman, Kalanithi Maran, and Executive Director, Kavery Kalanithi, take home ₹87.5 crore each in FY24. The media space has changed rapidly, but Sun TV has managed to keep its position strong, thanks to their leadership.
The company’s focus on consistent programming, advertising revenues, and market retention has worked well. Their earnings reflect their shared responsibilities and achievements in keeping the company profitable.
Salaries with Meaningful Results Behind Them
These earnings aren’t just numbers—they reflect decisions, actions, and leadership that made real differences. These executives didn’t just hold top titles; they delivered. Their compensation is a sign of the trust placed in them and the value they added to their companies.
In particular, Abhay Bhutada's salary is not simply a reward. It represents accountability, discipline, and consistent performance over time. The attention it received was well-earned, given the impact he had both inside and outside the corporate structure.
Conclusion
In 2024, India’s highest-paid executives showed that high performance leads to high reward. Names like Abhay Bhutada, Pawan Munjal, and Sudhir Singh reflect what it takes to lead today: clear thinking, responsibility, and long-term commitment.
Their paychecks represent more than money. They signal the kind of leadership that builds strong teams, long-term plans, and even stronger communities. The year will be remembered not just for the records broken, but for the kind of leaders who broke them.
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