Azim Premji, the chairman of Bangalore-based software giant Wipro, is the richest Indian with a wealth worth Rs 31,198 crore (Rs 311.98 billion).

Mukesh and Anil Ambani, chairman and vice chairman of the Reliance Group respectively, are the second richest in India with a combined wealth of Rs 24,172 crore (Rs 241.72 billion), according to Success 2005, a new business magazine launched by Eastern Eye group of publications.

Sunil Mittal, chairman and managing director of Bharti Tele-Ventures, is third in the list with a wealth worth Rs 12,552 crore (Rs 125.52 billion).

He is followed by Shiv Nadar, chairman, president and CEO, HCL Technologies (Rs 7,929 crore).

Fifth in the list are Malvinder and Shivinder Singh, president and joint managing director of SRL Ranbaxy and Fortis Healthcare (Rs 5,679 crore).

They are followed by Dilip Shanghvi, chairman and managing director, Sun Pharmaceuticals (Rs 4,965 crore).

The World's Richest People 2005

While Kumarmangalam Birla, chairman, Aditya Birla Group (Rs 4,172 crore) ranks 7th, Brijmohan Lall Munjal, chairman, Hero Group (Rs 2,905 crore) holds the 8th position.

He is followed by Subash Chandra, chairman, Zee Telefilms (Rs 2,849 crore) and Yusuf K Hamied, chairman and managing director, Cipla (Rs 2,846 crore).

While Anil Agarwal, chairman, Sterlite Industries (Rs 2,619 crore) is ranked 11th,  Rahul Bajaj, chairman, Bajaj Auto (Rs 2,490 crore) is ranked 12th.

The Hinduja Brothers, S P Hinduja and G P Hinduja, chairman and president respectively of the Hinduja Group, are listed as the 13th richest Indians with a wealth of Rs 2,378 crore.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chief of Biocon, is listed as the16th richest with wealth worth Rs 2,106 crore (Rs 21.06 billion).