Gautam Adani, one of India's wealthiest industrialists, has maintained simplicity and humility despite his billions. Even at the pinnacle of the business world, Adani remains distant from extravagance and ostentation.
Gautam Adani: When discussing India's top industrialists, Gautam Adani's name invariably arises—a figure who, despite his immense wealth, repeatedly exemplifies simplicity. Whether it's keeping his son's wedding understated or avoiding personal extravagance, Adani continues to set an example on every front.
He has once again surprised people with his conduct. In the fiscal year 2024-25, Gautam Adani received a salary of only ₹10.41 crore, less than some of his own group's top executives. Furthermore, his salary is significantly lower than that of other prominent industrialists. While some well-known Indian corporate leaders are drawing salaries in the hundreds of crores, Adani's decision reflects his simplicity and foresight.
Salary from Only Two Companies
Gautam Adani has nine listed companies, but he only received a salary from two—Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ). He received a total of ₹2.54 crore from AEL, including ₹2.26 crore in salary and ₹28 lakh in other allowances. From APSEZ, he received ₹7.87 crore, comprising ₹1.8 crore in salary and ₹6.07 crore in commission. The total remuneration from both companies was ₹10.41 crore—a mere 12% increase compared to ₹9.26 crore in 2023-24.
Lower Salary Than Group CEOs and Executives
Several senior Adani Group officials earn considerably more than Adani. For example:
- Vinay Prakash, CEO, Adani Enterprises – ₹69.34 crore
- Vineet S. Jain, MD, Adani Green Energy – ₹11.23 crore
- Jugeshinder Singh, Group CFO – ₹10.4 crore
Thus, Gautam Adani's salary is significantly lower than that of many of his own company's executives. This clearly indicates that he does not exploit his position but believes in responsibly driving the company forward.
Behind Other Major Industrialists
Gautam Adani's salary is also lower than that of several other renowned Indian industrialists. Some examples are:
- Sunil Bharti Mittal (Airtel): ₹32.27 crore
- Rajiv Bajaj (Bajaj Auto): ₹53.75 crore
- Pawan Munjal (Hero MotoCorp): ₹109 crore
- S. N. Subrahmanyan (L&T): ₹76.25 crore
- Salil Parekh (Infosys): ₹80.62 crore
This comparison suffices to show that Adani has prioritized not just profit generation but also responsibility towards the company and society.
Comparison with Mukesh Ambani
It is noteworthy that Mukesh Ambani, India's richest person, has ceased drawing a salary since the COVID-19 pandemic. He has voluntarily set his salary to zero. However, unlike Adani, other officials in his group are receiving salaries. This initiative by both Adani and Ambani—two industrial giants—points towards a positive shift in Indian corporate culture.
Why is this Decision Significant?
Amidst discussions of economic inequality and corporate greed in the country, Adani's move can be seen as an inspiration. It conveys the message that success and leadership mean not just money, but also responsibility, simplicity, and adherence to ethics. In corporate governance, this is also becoming a key issue: how much the company's head pays themselves and whether they prioritize the interests of their employees.
