Who Earned the Most in India’s Corporate Sector in 2024

India’s corporate sector in 2024 saw some remarkable developments—not just in terms of business growth but also in executive compensation. This year, a few names stood out, not only for the positions they hold but for the value they delivered. Leading this list is Abhay Bhutada, whose impressive salary figure caught widespread attention.

Abhay Bhutada’s Salary reaches ₹241.21 crore

Abhay Bhutada - Founder of the Abhay Bhutada Foundation

Topping the list is Abhay Bhutada, who received ₹241.21 crore in total salary for FY24. This marks the highest compensation received by any executive in India this year. His work in improving business performance, building credit stability, and overseeing strategic decisions played a key role in this recognition.

Beyond the professional space, Abhay Bhutada has also built a strong identity through his foundation. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation focuses on helping underserved communities by supporting education, health programs, and youth development. His work is a blend of business excellence and meaningful contribution.

Pawan Munjal maintains dominance in auto sector

The second-highest earning executive in 2024 is Pawan Munjal, with a salary of ₹109.41 crore. As the leader of Hero MotoCorp, he has continued to deliver consistent performance while ensuring the company’s stronghold in the two-wheeler market, both in India and internationally.

Munjal’s compensation represents 0.28% of the company’s revenue and 2.92% of its net profit. These numbers underline his ongoing relevance and strategic influence. His leadership style continues to focus on scale, brand growth, and efficient operations.

Sudhir Singh powers Coforge through digital leadership

In third place is Sudhir Singh, the CEO and Executive Director of Coforge. He earned ₹105.12 crore in FY24. His contribution to the company’s evolution in digital transformation and consulting has made him one of the most respected names in India’s tech space.

Singh’s salary is equal to 1.14% of Coforge’s revenue and a significant 13.01% of its net profit. This shows how his decisions and leadership direction directly affect the company’s success in a fast-changing industry.

Vinay Prakash plays a crucial role at Adani Enterprises

Coming in fourth is Vinay Prakash, Executive Director of Adani Enterprises, with a total salary of ₹89.37 crore. His role spans across energy and infrastructure, two sectors where the company has aggressive growth plans and long-term commitments.

Although his pay accounts for just 0.09% of revenue and 2.76% of profits, his influence is clear through the large-scale projects he leads. His work ensures smooth execution and alignment with both regulatory and sustainability goals.

Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Kalanithi sustain Sun TV’s performance

Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Kalanithi, who lead Sun TV Network as Executive Chairman and Executive Director respectively, both earned ₹87.5 crore each in FY24. Their dual leadership has kept the company’s financials strong and programming widely watched.

Under their watch, Sun TV has not only retained its loyal viewer base but has also made progress in adapting to digital changes. Their ability to manage both legacy formats and new media channels has helped maintain profitability in a changing content environment.

Executive salaries signal more than earnings

Large paychecks often attract attention, but these salaries reveal something more important—they signal responsibility, performance, and return on trust. Companies are choosing to reward executives based on the real impact they create, both financially and culturally.

In the case of Abhay Bhutada’s salary, the amount represents not just a career milestone but a reward for significant contributions that strengthened the company’s financial position while supporting broader goals through his foundation.

How does the public view executives?

With rising awareness, people now look deeper into how and why such large salaries are offered. Are they deserved? Are they based on outcomes? These questions are now part of everyday conversations.

For figures like Abhay Bhutada, the answers are easier to find. The company performance under his guidance, along with his social outreach, presents a well-rounded image of leadership that justifies such compensation.

Performance-based rewards becoming standard

Executives today are not simply rewarded for holding senior positions. There’s a growing shift toward performance-based rewards. Salaries are increasingly tied to metrics like revenue growth, cost efficiency, stakeholder value, and even public goodwill.

This is clearly seen in the case of Abhay Bhutada, whose salary sets a new benchmark in terms of performance-linked earnings. His success represents a broader move by Indian companies to align leadership rewards with actual value creation.

Conclusion

While high executive salaries often spark debate, they also highlight the evolving nature of leadership roles in modern India. Leaders today are expected to meet financial goals, guide teams through change, and contribute to society when possible.

Executives like Abhay Bhutada, Pawan Munjal, and others are setting examples by showing that success at the top comes with accountability, vision, and a focus on long-term progress—not just for the company, but for the communities around them.