The 2026 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List recognizes notable women achievers across various sectors, including business, economic entrepreneurship, and sports. This annual publication highlights the significant contributions of women through leadership and innovation.
This year, the list features 117 women from 12 sectors, with Meena Bindra, the owner of BIBA, securing the top position. Avani Lekhara, the youngest female Paralympic medal winner, also made a strong impression, ranking among the top ten, showcasing the growing number of talented young leaders in India.
What is the Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List?
The Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List is an annual compilation by Hurun India that honors exceptional female leaders from diverse sectors. The ranking is based on several objective criteria, which include:
- Company valuation
- Annual revenue
- Achievements of the businesswoman
- Sporting accomplishments
- Influence in the digital space
- Societal impact of their work
This year, 117 women leaders were recognized, predominantly from New Delhi and Mumbai.
Meena Bindra Secures First Place in the Rankings
Meena Bindra, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of BIBA, has been recognized for creating one of India’s most popular ethnic wear brands. She serves as a role model in women’s entrepreneurship and business leadership.
Avani Lekhara the Youngest Woman in the Rankings
Avani Lekhara, a young Paralympic gold medalist, ranked 6th, making her the youngest member of the top 10 at just 24 years old. Her inclusion reflects the increasing recognition of excellence in sports alongside achievements in business.
Top 10 Women Leaders in the 2026 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List
Rank | Name | Organization/Association | Age
- Meena Bindra | BIBA | 83
- Tushara Shankar | Lupin | 46
- Rajni Bector | Bectors Food Specialities | 86
- Vaishali Nigam Sinha | ReNew Power | 56
- Suneeta Reddy & Preetha Reddy | Apollo Hospitals Enterprise | 67 & 68
- Avani Lekhara | Paralympic Medallist | 24
- Sudha Murthy | Author | 75
- Ananya Birla | Entrepreneur & Social Media Influencer | 32
- Faye D’Souza | Journalist | Independent | 44
- Kanika Gupta Shori | Square Yards | —
Youngest Women Leaders List 2026
Rank | Name | Organization/Association
- Sheetal Devi | Paralympian
- Noureen Aysha | Femi Safe
- Parul Gulati | Entrepreneur & Influencer
- Priyanka Sharma | Independent Journalist
- Rithika Mohan | Garuda Aerospace
- Savi Sharma | Author
- Masaba Gupta | House of Masaba
- Shreya Mishra | Solar Square
- Nishtha Gupta | Suzlon
- Roshni Nadar Malhotra | HCL Technologies
Oldest Women Leaders Across Categories
Rank | Name | Organization/Association
- Rajni Bector | Bectors Food Specialities
- Meena Bindra | BIBA
- Manju D. Gupta | Lupin
- Bina Modi | Godfrey Phillips India
- Banu Mushtaq | Author
- Arundhati Bhattacharya | Salesforce India
- Madhulika Sharma | ITC
- Vaishali Nigam Sinha | ReNew Power
- Deepa Malik | Paralympian
- Barkha Dutt | Mojo Story
Key Highlights in the 2026 Rankings
The Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List showcases exemplary leadership across various domains, including health, renewable energy, literature, journalism, sports, and business. Key highlights include:
- Meena Bindra topped the list.
- Avani Lekhara is the youngest in the overall top 10.
- A total of 117 women leaders were honored across 12 sectors.
- Major sectors represented include business, healthcare, media, literature, sports, and clean energy.
- More honorees hailed from Mumbai and New Delhi compared to other locations.
