Mukesh Ambani Takes Zero Salary for 5th Year, Family Earns ₹3,300 Crore in Dividends

Mukesh Ambani  The richest man in India and the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), has decided not to receive his pay in FY25, for the fifth year in a row. This choice reflects his position on moderation in CEO remuneration and is consistent with the pledge he made during the COVID-19 pandemic in FY21.

According to the company’s latest annual report, Ambani, 67, opted not to draw any form of remuneration—including salary, allowances, or incentives—despite continuing to serve in his top executive role at India’s most valuable company. Before FY21, he had voluntarily capped his annual pay at ₹15 crore since FY09.

Ambani is ranked 18th among the richest people in the world with a net worth of $103.3 billion, according to Forbes (as of August 7, 2025). Nevertheless, he continues to set an example for restraint in executive compensation while providing his family with a substantial dividend income to ensure their financial future.

Ambani Children Receive Higher Board Compensation in FY25

Mukesh Ambani receives no salary, although his three children, Isha Ambani Piramal, Akash Ambani, and Anant Ambani, who became non-executive members on the RIL board in October 2023, each received ₹2.31 crore in FY25. This comprises a commission of ₹2.25 crore and a sitting fee of ₹0.06 crore.

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This sum is a substantial increase above the ₹1.01 crore they earned in FY24, and the rise in board pay reflects their growing role and influence within the company, even if their father still holds a salary-free post.

Other Directors Maintain Steady Compensation

At RIL, other important executive directors were regularly compensated:

• Nikhil R. Meswani and Hital R. Meswani were each paid ₹25 crore, comprising ₹7.28 crore in salary and perquisites, ₹0.44 crore in retiral benefits, and ₹17.28 crore in commission.

• P. M. S. Prasad earned ₹19.96 crore, with ₹19.37 crore in salary and perquisites, and ₹0.59 crore in retiral benefits.
• Nita Ambani, who stepped down from the board in August 2023, was paid ₹0.02 crore as sitting fee and ₹0.97 crore as commission for FY24. She does not appear in the FY25 remuneration records.

₹3,322.7 Crore in Dividends for the Ambani Family

Despite Mukesh Ambani’s nil salary, the Ambani family’s wealth continues to rise through dividend income. The family, who own a 50.33% interest in Reliance Industries, received ₹3,322.7 crore in FY24 after the business paid out a dividend of ₹10 per share. The record date for this payout is August 14, 2025.

Even if the business maintains that it offers security to the family, which is not regarded as a perquisite, the Ambani family's passive income, which is based on their 332.27 crore shares, highlights the enormous financial power they still possess.