Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ Forbes has unveiled its 10th annual 30 Under 30 Asia list, celebrating the most dynamic and innovative young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region. This year’s list shines a spotlight on the trailblazers of tomorrow, all under the age of 30, who are revolutionizing industries from technology and finance to entertainment and social impact. Titled India’s Brightest on Forbes 30 Under 30 2025, the list features a total of 300 honorees across 10 categories, including Artificial Intelligence, Consumer & Enterprise Technology, Finance, Social Impact, The Arts, and Retail & E-commerce.
Reflecting global trends, the 2025 class is particularly tech-focused, with artificial intelligence playing a central role in the innovations brought forth by this year’s honorees. India emerged as the most represented country, with 94 individuals making the prestigious list, more than any other nation in the Asia-Pacific region. Notable names from India include 17-year-old Sheetal Devi, the world’s first armless archer who made headlines after winning gold at the Asian Para Games, and Gukesh Dommaraju, the 18-year-old chess prodigy and reigning World Chess Champion.
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The entertainment sector also saw strong representation from India. Bollywood actors Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter were featured for their international impact, with Panday also recognized as the first Indian ambassador for Chanel. In music, singer-songwriter Anuv Jain was lauded for his emotionally resonant tracks like Husn and Baarishein. Additionally, several Indian entrepreneurs also earned spots on the list for their innovative contributions. Jinali Mody’s Banofi Leather is turning banana crop waste into eco-friendly leather alternatives. Anshita Mehrotra’s Fix My Curls is revolutionizing curly hair care in India, while Manu Chopra’s Karya is ethically collecting AI training data from rural communities.
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Startups like Nawgati Tech, SigIQ.ai, and Adalat AI are leveraging artificial intelligence to transform fuel stations, factory maintenance, and India’s legal system, respectively. Following India with 94 honorees, Australia had 32 honorees, while China, Japan, and South Korea followed with 30, 25, and 23 entries respectively. Singapore and Indonesia each had 19 honorees. The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list underscores India’s growing influence in shaping the future of technology, sustainability, and culture on a global scale.
