Indian brands continue their upward trajectory on the global stage, with Tata Group once again leading the charge. According to Brand Finance’s Global 500 report for 2025, the company’s brand value surged 10% to $31.6 billion, making it the first Indian brand to surpass the $30-billion milestone. This follows its recognition last year as India’s most valuable brand for the 15th consecutive year, when it was valued at $28.6 billion.
The Group ranks 60th in the global top 100, while preserving its AAA- brand strength rating, said the report, which was released at Davos on Tuesday.
LIC emerged as the fastest-growing Indian brand, achieving a 36% increase to $13.3 billion, underpinned by a robust Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88, the highest among Indian brands in the global ranking. The company’s strategic diversification of its portfolio in the health insurance sector has bolstered its market presence and consumer trust. Infosys (ranked 132nd) also impressed, retaining its position as the world’s third-most valuable IT services brand with a value of $16.3 billion (up 15%) and the fastest five-year compound annual growth rate (18%) among its peers.
India’s banking sector made a strong global debut, with HDFC ($14.2 billion), SBI ($9.6 billion), and ICICI ($6.4 billion) entering the rankings, reflecting the growing strength of Indian financial institutions. Airtel, with a brand value of $7.7 billion, has sustained its strong position, demonstrating resilience in the highly competitive telecommunications sector. Meanwhile, Jio Group joined the list for the first time with a $6.5 billion valuation, while Reliance Group climbed 17% to $9.8 billion.
Ajimon Francis, managing director, Brand Finance India, remarked, “Reflecting the Indian economic strength, not a single Indian brand has declined in brand value in the 2025 brand value rankings. BFSI brands like LIC, HDFC, SBI and ICICI have shown strength. L&T, the engineering group has powered ahead remarkably.”
Globally, Apple maintained its top spot as the world’s most-valuable brand at $574.5 billion, showcasing 11% growth, followed by Microsoft ($461 billion with 35% growth) and Google ($413 billion with 24% growth). ASEAN brands mirrored this momentum, with e& recording an extraordinary 701% growth to $15.3 billion, driven by global expansion and a unified brand identity. WeChat retained its title as the world’s strongest brand with a BSI score of 95.2.
This year’s rankings highlight India’s continued rise as a hub of innovation and resilience, with its brands pushing boundaries across technology, finance, and consumer goods, according to the report.
Says Somdutta Singh, entrepreneur, founder and CEO, Assiduus, “The business landscape we’re in is cutthroat. Effective branding is not just an option, it’s an essential cornerstone for success. In fact, research indicates that consistent branding can lead to a remarkable revenue increase of up to 23% underscoring the profound impact that a cohesive brand identity can have on consumer perception and purchasing behavior.”
The report defines brand value as the net economic benefit a brand owner could obtain by licensing the brand in an open market. It evaluates brand strength as the brand’s performance on intangible metrics relative to its competitors.