India’s brand landscape continues to demonstrate resilience and ambition, with the country’s 100 most valuable brands now worth a combined USD 523.5 billion, representing nearly 13% of India’s GDP, according to Kantar BrandZ’s Top 100 Most Valuable Indian Brands 2025 report. 

The annual ranking shows overall brand value rising 6% year-on-year, with 34 brands increasing their value and strong performances across financial services, technology and telecom, and a notable influx of 18 new brands entering the ranking for the first time.

HDFC Bank has reclaimed its position as India’s most valuable brand, growing 18% to reach nearly USD 45 billion in brand value. Since the first BrandZ India report in 2014, the bank has grown an impressive 377%, supported by sustained investments in digital transformation, customer-centric innovation and brand trust.

Following HDFC in the top five ranking are Tata Consultancy Services (USD 44.23bn), Airtel (USD 41.07bn), Infosys (USD 25.54bn) and ICICI Bank (USD 20.63bn). Together, India’s top ten brands contribute nearly half (47%) of the total ranking value.

For the second consecutive year, Zomato is the ranking’s fastest riser, increasing its brand value by 69% to reach USD 6bn and climbing 10 places to 21st position.

The most notable new entrant is UltraTech Cement, debuting at seventh position with a brand value of USD 14.5bn. Other significant newcomers include Westside at number 38 and Zudio at 52nd positions respectively.

The presence of four cement brands in the Top 100 for the first time - UltraTech, Bangur, Ambuja and JK Cement - reflects the sector’s growing relevance amid India’s infrastructure boom.

Travel brands are among this year’s top risers, as India’s ‘experience economy’ accelerates, with luxury hotel brand Taj (at 43 rank) and India’s largest airline, IndiGo (at number 24) all posting significant gains, together with online travel major MakeMyTrip (at number 56). 

Automotive manufacturer Mahindra (23 rank) also increased its brand value by 53%, capitalising on rising demand for experience-led services such as off-roading drives and road trips tailored to SUV enthusiasts and adventure seekers. 

The report noted that brands that stand out for their unique value and relevance consistently outperform others.

Brands that survived the rankings since 2019 delivered an extra 29% brand value growth on the back of delivering both Meaning and Difference.

Standout examples include HDFC Bank’s focus on innovation, Taj Hotel’s dedication to heritage and service excellence, and Royal Enfield (rank 57), which fosters deep brand loyalty through immersive community experiences, like its Motoverse event in Goa.

Soumya Mohanty, managing director and chief solutions officer, South Asia, Kantar, added, "Our analysis confirms that brands can outperform market conditions, even in the face of headwinds, when they are built on a foundation of deep consumer understanding. These resilient brands don’t just survive - they grow by staying closely aligned with evolving consumer needs and expectations. In today’s landscape, understanding how consumers experience and interpret your brand is no longer optional, it’s a strategic imperative. Sustained measurement and actionable insights enable brands to forge stronger customer connections, maintain relevance and secure long-term competitive advantage.”