Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani has been ranked as India's Most Powerful Woman in the Fortune India Most Powerful Women 2026 list, recognizing her leadership in philanthropy, education, healthcare and social development. The latest ranking places her at the top among 100 influential women who have made significant contributions across business, public policy, entrepreneurship and social impact.

According to Fortune India, Nita Ambani has led initiatives through the Reliance Foundation that have positively impacted more than 100 million people across the country. The foundation's work spans education, healthcare, rural transformation, sports development, disaster response and women’s empowerment. It has also supported nearly 29 million children through various educational and welfare programmes.

Leadership Rooted in Social Impact

Speaking at the Fortune India Most Powerful Women 2026 Awards, Nita Ambani said leadership should be guided by compassion, inclusion and empowerment rather than authority alone.

She said true power lies in enabling others to succeed and stressed that India's greatest strength is its "soft power" built on empathy, kindness and respect for all. She also underlined the importance of investing in girls' education and empowerment, saying that strengthening women ultimately strengthens the nation.

Recognition Follows Global Honour

The latest recognition comes shortly after Nita Ambani received the AAPI Humanitarian Award in Tampa, Florida, on July 3. The honour was presented by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in recognition of her contributions to healthcare, education, sports, culture and community development.

The consecutive recognitions highlight her growing influence not only within India but also on international platforms focused on philanthropy and public service.

Isha Ambani Among India's Top 10

The Fortune India rankings also featured Reliance Retail Director Isha Ambani among the country's ten most powerful women. She secured the seventh position, reflecting her leadership role in expanding Reliance Retail's digital and consumer businesses while contributing to the group's retail transformation strategy.

The list was led by Nita Ambani, followed by HCL Technologies Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra in second place. The Reddy sisters—Shobana Kamineni, Sangeeta Reddy, Preetha Reddy and Sunita Reddy—jointly occupied the third position for their leadership within Apollo Hospitals.

Other prominent names in the top rankings included Savitri Jindal, Preeti Adani, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Priya Nair, Bela Bajaria and Leena Nair.

Smriti Irani Highlights Women's Role in AI

Former Union Minister Smriti Irani, who ranked 18th on the list, used the platform to advocate stronger institutional support for women-led enterprises. She said India's next phase of economic growth depends on women becoming job creators rather than only job seekers.

Irani also raised concerns about gender representation in artificial intelligence, arguing that AI systems cannot become truly inclusive unless women are adequately represented in training datasets. Encouraging aspiring women leaders, she said confidence and capability should remain at the centre of professional growth.

Kriti Sanon Talks Entrepreneurship

Actor and entrepreneur Kriti Sanon, who was ranked 75th on the list, shared insights into the growth strategy of her skincare brand, Hyphen. During a panel discussion on entrepreneurship, she emphasized that sustainable consumer brands are built on product quality rather than celebrity endorsements.

According to Sanon, more than half of her brand's repeat customers return because of product performance instead of her public image, reinforcing the importance of customer trust and consistent quality in building long-term businesses.

Celebrating Women Across Sectors

The Fortune India Most Powerful Women list recognises influential women across business, philanthropy, public policy, healthcare, entrepreneurship and entertainment. The 2026 edition reflects the growing role of women in shaping India's economic growth, innovation and social development, while highlighting leaders whose work continues to influence millions of lives across the country.