Mukesh Ambani, Asia and India’s richest man and chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has made headlines by entrusting his youngest son, Anant Ambani, with a pivotal role. While all three of Mukesh’s children—Isha, Akash, and Anant—hold key positions in RIL, his recent decision signals the strongest faith in Anant. On April 25, RIL’s board appointed Anant as a full-time director for a five-year term starting May 1, 2025, a move described as a “significant recognition” by business analyst Rohit Sharma. This appointment, following Anant’s birthday on April 10, is seen as a major gift from Mukesh to his son, who has outshone his siblings in securing this role.

The decision, approved after the Human Resources, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee’s recommendation, marks Anant as the first Ambani sibling to become an executive director at RIL. A Brown University graduate, Anant has been leading RIL’s energy division since August 2022 and serves on the boards of Jio Platforms, Reliance Retail Ventures, Reliance New Energy, and Reliance Foundation. His estimated net worth of ₹3.3 lakh crore stems largely from a 0.12% stake in RIL, equivalent to 80.5 lakh shares, alongside other investments. With an annual salary of ₹4.2 crore, his wealth is bolstered by dividends and strategic roles in RIL’s subsidiaries.

In August 2023, Mukesh inducted Isha, Akash, and Anant as non-executive directors on RIL’s board, laying the groundwork for a succession plan. While Akash heads Jio Infocomm and Isha manages retail and e-commerce, Anant’s new role as full-time director underscores his growing influence. Amid the buzz around the Khalid-Ashraf case, this move has sparked discussions in the business world. Anant’s leadership is poised to shape RIL’s future, cementing his place in one of India’s most powerful conglomerates.