36 of India’s 643 Ministers Are Billionaires, ADR Report Reveals Wealth Distribution Across States and Parties
Delhi, Sept 2025 : A comprehensive analysis conducted by the non-profit organisations Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) has shed light on the wealth profile of India’s current ministers across State Assemblies, Union Territories (UTs), and the Union Council of Ministers. The study examined the self-sworn affidavits (Form 26) submitted by ministers during elections held between 2020 and 2025, covering 643 out of 652 ministers from 27 State Assemblies, three Union Territories, and the Union Council.
It is important to note that the data concerning criminal cases, also sourced from these affidavits, reflects the status at the time of submission and may have changed over time.
Key Findings
The analysis reveals that 36 ministers, or 6 percent of the total examined, are billionaires. Collectively, the wealth of all 643 ministers amounts to Rs 23,929 crore, highlighting the significant economic standing of India’s political leadership. The average assets per minister stand at Rs 37.21 crore, underscoring considerable wealth disparities across the political spectrum.
Party-Wise Distribution of Billionaire Ministers
Among political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the highest number of billionaire ministers, with 14 out of 336 ministers (approximately 4%) qualifying as billionaires. The Indian National Congress (INC) follows, with 11 out of 61 ministers (18%) listed as billionaires. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has a significant proportion as well, with 6 out of 23 ministers (26%) being billionaires.
Other parties with billionaire ministers include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Janasena Party, Janata Dal (Secular), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shiv Sena, though the numbers are smaller. Notably, the Janasena Party has 50% of its ministers as billionaires, albeit from a small sample of two ministers.
| Party | Total Ministers | Billionaire Ministers | % Billionaires |
|---|---|---|---|
| BJP | 336 | 14 | 4% |
| INC | 61 | 11 | 18% |
| TDP | 23 | 6 | 26% |
| AAP | 16 | 1 | 6% |
| Janasena Party | 3 | 1 | 33% |
| JD(S) | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| NCP | 10 | 1 | 10% |
| Shiv Sena | 13 | 1 | 8% |
| Other Parties | 179 | 0 | 0% |
| Total | 643 | 36 | 6% |
Richest Ministers in India
The richest minister identified is Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmasani of the TDP, a Lok Sabha MP from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, who has declared assets exceeding Rs 5,705 crore. He is followed by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, with assets over Rs 1,413 crore. Among chief ministers, Andhra Pradesh’s Chandrababu Naidu is ranked the wealthiest, with assets worth more than Rs 931 crore.
Other ministers featuring in the top ten wealthiest include Narayana Ponguru and Nara Lokesh from Andhra Pradesh, Gaddam Vivekananda and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy from Telangana, Suresha B.S. from Karnataka, Mangal Prabhat Lodha from Maharashtra, and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
State-Wise Distribution of Billionaire Ministers
On a state-wise level, Karnataka leads with eight billionaire ministers, followed by Andhra Pradesh with six and Maharashtra with four. States including Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Telangana each have two billionaire ministers, while Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab have one each. Among other states and assemblies, no billionaire ministers were reported.
| State/UT | No. of Ministers | Billionaire Ministers | % Billionaires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 31 | 8 | 26% |
| Andhra Pradesh | 25 | 6 | 24% |
| Maharashtra | 41 | 4 | 10% |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 12 | 2 | 17% |
| Telangana | 15 | 2 | 13% |
| Delhi | 7 | 2 | 29% |
| Haryana | 14 | 2 | 14% |
| Himachal Pradesh | 11 | 1 | 9% |
| Gujarat | 17 | 1 | 6% |
| Madhya Pradesh | 31 | 1 | 3% |
| Punjab | 16 | 1 | 6% |
| Other Assemblies | 351 | 0 | 0% |
| Union Council (LS/RS) | 72 | 6 | 8% |
Union Council of Ministers
Out of 72 ministers in the Union Council, six ministers (8%) are billionaires. This indicates that while wealth concentration is evident across states, it is slightly higher among Union-level ministers.
Conclusion
The ADR and NEW report highlights the substantial wealth held by India’s ministers and offers voters insight into the financial status of their representatives. With 36 billionaires among 643 ministers, the report underscores the intersection of wealth and politics in the country.
The primary source for this data is the affidavits submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI), available at www.eci.gov.in, along with nomination papers filed during elections. For more detailed insights, the reports and analyses are available at www.adrindia.org and www.myneta.info.
This report is intended to inform the electorate and promote transparency, allowing citizens to make informed decisions regarding the financial backgrounds of political representatives.
Team Maverick.
English report attachment
Analysis_of_Current_Ministers_and_the_Union_Council_of_Ministers_2025_FinalVer_English.pdf
( This article uses data provided by the non-profit organisations Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW).)
Bangladesh Votes for Change as BNP Surges Ahead in Post-Hasina Election
Dhaka, Feb 2026 :Vote counting began in Bangladesh late Thursday after polling concluded f…
Bangladesh Votes for Change as BNP Surges Ahead in Post-Hasina Election
Dhaka, Feb 2026 :Vote counting began in Bangladesh late Thursday after polling concluded for …
