
Jury

Ashu Suyash
Co-Founder, Colossa Ventures and former MD, Cirsil

Arundhati Bhattacharya
President and Chairperson, Salesforce- South Asia

Meena Ganesh
CEO, Portea Medical

Swati Piramal
Vice Chairperson,
Piramal Group
Methodology
Following thorough research across primary and secondary sources, the Forbes India editorial team drew up a long list of 35 women who have shaped their destinies and set new benchmarks. The list represented a mix of entreprens and professionals in various fields, although it may not have been exhe. It was presented to a jury of four eminent and illustrious women: u Suyash, co-founder, Colossa Ventures, and former managing director, Crl, Arundhati Bhattacharya, president and chairperson, Salesforce-South Aa, Meena Ganesh, CEO at Portea Medical, and Swati Piramal, vice chairpersn at Piramal Group. While traditional indicators such as financial success, influence, leadership and innovation, were key considerations, the emphass was on recognising self-made women who have not inherited wealth or posin.
The jury assessed the candidates on the following criteria:
Pioneers: Women who have introduced ground-breaking ideas, transformed industries, or ventured into uncharted territories.
Role models: Women leading by example, inspiring and empowering others.
Trailblazers: Women who have carved a space for themselves in traditionally male-dominated spaces and challenged the status quo.
Based on jury votes, we narrowed the list down to 20 names. The selection is not a ranking, but a collection of exceptional names based on the above criteria
India's Top Self-Made Women in 2025

Mona Khandhar
Principal Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Gujarat

Rohini Iyer
Founder & Director,
Rain Reign Group

Vishakha Mulye
CEO, Aditya Birla Capital

Dr. Pratima Murthy
Director & Senior Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS

Renuka Ramnath
Founder, MD & CEO, Multiples Alternate Asset Management

Sonia Dasgupta
MD & CEO, Investment Banking, JM Financial

Leena Nair
Global CEO, Chanel

Smriti Mandhana
Cricketer

Payal Kapadia
Filmmaker

Savitha Balchandran
CFO, Tata Technologies

Kaku Nakhate
India CEO,
Bank of America, N.A. (BANA)

Anamika Khanna
Creative Director & Founder, Anamika Khanna and AK|OK

Manu Bhaker
Shooter

Prerna Singh
CEO, Bhansali Productions

Mira Kulkarni
Founder & MD,
Forest Essentials

Shefali Goradia
Chairperson,
Deloitte South Asia

Gita Gopinath
First Deputy MD, IMF

Sunidhi Chauhan
Singer

Sonal Desai
CIO, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income

PV Sindhu
Badminton Player