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Gautam Adani’s FY25 Salary: How It Stacks Against Ambani, Mittal & More

Let’s Talk About Those Paychecks

You know Gautam Adani—India’s second-richest guy, the face behind those massive ports and airports. But here’s the kicker: his FY25 salary was just Rs 9.26 crore. Sounds like a lot, right? But when you stack it up against Ambani, Mittal, and others, it’s almost… modest. And that’s the thing that makes you wonder—why? Is this about strategy, or is there something deeper going on with how India’s top bosses get paid?

Breaking Down Adani’s Salary

So Rs 9.26 crore—that’s his total take-home for FY25. Base salary, bonuses, the usual perks. But here’s what’s interesting: unlike some of his peers, Adani doesn’t rely much on stock options or dividends. Why? Well, when you own a huge chunk of your own company (like he does with Adani Group), your real money comes from share prices going up, not your monthly paycheck. It’s like betting on your own horse instead of taking a fixed prize.

And honestly, it’s a smart play. His salary’s stayed pretty steady while his net worth has gone through the roof—thanks to those shares. Classic Warren Buffett move, if you ask me.

How Others Are Playing the Salary Game

1. Mukesh Ambani – The Dividend King

Ambani takes home Rs 15 crore a year—same since 2008. Sounds low for India’s richest man? Here’s the twist: he made over Rs 4,000 crore just from Reliance dividends last year. That’s the difference—Adani’s wealth is locked in shares, while Ambani cashes out regularly. Two strategies, same billionaire status.

2. Sunil Mittal – Telecom’s Big Spender

Mittal pocketed Rs 16.7 crore—almost double Adani’s pay. But telecom’s a different beast. With cutthroat competition and Africa expansions, Airtel’s bonuses are tied to performance. Infrastructure? Not so much. Shows how industry shapes paychecks.

3. Rajiv Bajaj – The Performance Hustler

Bajaj Auto’s boss took Rs 42.4 crore! Why? Because his pay’s tied to EBITDA targets—hit the numbers, get the cash. Meanwhile, Adani’s playing the long game. Both work, but man, what a difference.

4. Pawan Munjal – The Bonus Boss

Rs 80.5 crore. Let that sink in. Hero MotoCorp’s CEO got Rs 60 crore just in bonuses. That’s outcome-based pay at its finest. Adani’s salary looks like pocket change next to this.

5. The Rest of the Pack

Birla at Rs 12.2 crore, Kotak at Rs 6.1 crore before he stepped down—banking and commodities swing with the market. Adani’s sectors? Slow and steady. Different games, different rules.

Why Adani’s Okay With a “Small” Salary

Here’s the real talk: Adani doesn’t need a fat paycheck. With 70% of his wealth in Adani Group stock, he makes money when the shares rise. It’s like owning the casino instead of betting at the tables. Some call it tax-smart; others say it shows he’s all in on the company’s future. Either way, it’s working—just look at that 900% stock jump since 2020.

What People Are Saying

Investors don’t seem to mind. When stocks perform, who cares about salary? But compare him to Tim Cook’s $99 million package, and you’ve got a debate. Is Indian corporate culture too modest? Or is this about avoiding the “greedy CEO” label in a country where income inequality’s a hot topic? Tough call.

The Bottom Line

Adani’s salary isn’t about being cheap—it’s about playing chess while others play checkers. In a world where fat paychecks often mean bigger egos, his approach is refreshing… or maybe just really good optics. Either way, it’s making people rethink what CEO pay should look like in India.