In 2026, the top NBFC CEOs shaping India’s financial sector include Arvind Kapil of Poonawalla Fincorp, Rajeev Jain of Bajaj Finance, Umesh Revankar of Shriram Finance, George Alexander Muthoot of Muthoot Finance, and Nirmal Jain of IIFL Finance. Their leadership is driving growth, digital innovation, and customer-focused solutions that influence millions of borrowers and investors across the country. Whether you work in finance, track credit markets, or are curious about how digital lending and financial inclusion are transforming borrowing in India, keeping an eye on these executives offers valuable insights.
Top NBFC CEOs to Follow in India (2026)
• Arvind Kapil, Poonawalla Fincorp
• Rajeev Jain, Bajaj Finance
• Umesh Revankar, Shriram Finance
• George Alexander Muthoot, Muthoot Finance
• Nirmal Jain, IIFL Finance
Arvind Kapil, Poonawalla Fincorp
Arvind Kapil joined Poonawalla Fincorp as MD and CEO, transforming it into a top NBFC in India and a trusted name in retail lending. He has focused on a clean, low-NPA book while expanding digital capabilities across personal, business, and gold loans. With deep banking experience and a disciplined approach to credit and liability management, Kapil is one of the best NBFC CEOs in India 2026 to watch for insights on NBFC strategy, RBI regulations, and digital lending innovation.
Rajeev Jain, Bajaj Finance
As Managing Director of Bajaj Finance, Rajeev Jain is one of the most recognised leaders among India’s major NBFCs in India. He has grown Bajaj Finance into a top NBFC with an AUM of several lakh crores and a benchmark consumer lending engine. Known for technology-first credit models, cross-selling, and disciplined risk management, Jain offers valuable insight into consumer credit, fintech competition, and capital market trends.
Umesh Revankar, Shriram Finance
Umesh Revankar serves as Executive Vice Chairman at Shriram Finance, one of the best NBFC companies in India, with a strong presence in vehicle finance and MSME lending across rural and semi-urban areas. Having spent decades with the Shriram Group, Revankar has played a key role in expanding the retail lending portfolio and steering the consolidation of Shriram Transport and Shriram City Union Finance. His insights on rural credit, used commercial vehicle financing, and NBFC-bank co-lending make him a notable leader to follow in 2026.
George Alexander Muthoot, Muthoot Finance
George Alexander Muthoot is the MD of Muthoot Finance, one of the big NBFCs in India and the largest gold loan NBFC. He has maintained leadership in gold loans while expanding into home loans, personal loans, and insurance. With gold loans gaining fresh regulatory attention from the RBI in 2025 and 2026, Muthoot’s operational stance and public commentary are closely watched by borrowers, investors, and policymakers alike, making him one of the leading NBFC executives in India to follow for insights on secured lending and sector trends.
Nirmal Jain, IIFL Finance
Nirmal Jain is the founder and Chairman of IIFL Finance, a leading NBFC in India operating across gold loans, home loans, microfinance, and wealth management. As one of the original architects of India’s financial services democratisation, Jain provides a macro view of how NBFCs fit into the broader economy. Frequently quoted in policy discussions on digital lending, credit access for underserved segments, and RBI regulations, he is one of the top NBFC leaders in India to follow for insights at the intersection of fintech and traditional NBFC models.
Key Profile Comparison: Top NBFC CEOs in India in 2026
Here is a quick overview of the top NBFC leaders in India and what makes each of them worth following:
|
Executive / Organisation |
Organisation Type |
Focus Area |
Known For |
Worth Following For |
|
Arvind Kapil (Poonawalla Fincorp) |
NBFC (Upper Layer) |
Retail & digital lending |
Digital transformation & AUM growth |
NBFC strategy, RBI regulations |
|
Rajeev Jain (Bajaj Finance) |
NBFC (Upper Layer) |
Consumer & SME finance |
Scaling consumer credit in India |
Fintech, credit innovation |
|
Umesh Revankar (Shriram Finance) |
NBFC (Upper Layer) |
Vehicle & rural finance |
Rural credit & financial inclusion |
MSME & rural lending insights |
|
George Alexander (Muthoot Finance) |
Gold Loan NBFC |
Gold loans |
Largest gold loan portfolio |
Gold loan trends |
|
Nirmal Jain (IIFL Finance) |
Diversified NBFC |
Wealth & lending |
Multi-vertical NBFC leadership |
Diversified finance & wealth |
Why Follow NBFC Leaders in India?
The NBFC sector in India has seen record AUM growth, tighter RBI governance norms, and a rapid shift toward digital lending platforms. The CEOs leading these organisations are not just running financial institutions; they are shaping credit policy conversations, driving financial inclusion into tier 2 and tier 3 towns, and pushing co-lending models that connect NBFCs with scheduled commercial banks. Following the right NBFC thought leaders gives you a front-row seat to all of this.
To Conclude
In 2026, Arvind Kapil, Rajeev Jain, Umesh Revankar, George Alexander Muthoot, and Nirmal Jain are shaping India’s NBFC sector. You can follow these CEOs, as most leading NBFC executives in India are active on LinkedIn and regularly featured in business publications such as The Economic Times, Business Standard, Mint, and Business Today, offering insights on growth, innovation, and regulatory trends in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the best NBFC CEO to follow in India in 2026?
The best NBFC CEO to follow depends on your area of interest. Rajeev Jain of Bajaj Finance is widely regarded as one of India’s most influential NBFC executives, while Arvind Kapil of Poonawalla Fincorp is closely followed for his commentary on digital lending and retail credit strategy.
- Which are the top NBFCs in India in 2026?
The top NBFCs in India in 2026, based on AUM and systemic importance, include Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance, Muthoot Finance, IIFL Finance, and Poonawalla Fincorp. All of these are categorised under the RBI’s Upper Layer or equivalent regulatory framework.
- Where can I follow NBFC leaders and executives in India?
Most leading NBFC executives in India are active on LinkedIn and are regularly featured in business publications such as The Economic Times, Business Standard, Mint, and Business Today.
