Eligibility and cohort rules

Indian companies only. Every brand must belong to a company that is Indian-owned and Indian-controlled. Indian subsidiaries of multinational groups are not eligible. Indian companies with foreign financial investors are eligible where control rests in India.

Business brands only. The brand must earn most of its business from other businesses, institutions or government, or through trade and professional channels. Brands sold mainly to individual consumers belong to the MegaBrands 501, not here.

One brand, one category. Each brand is placed in the single category where most of its business and reputation lie. A company with several distinct business brands may have more than one in the cohort, each in its own category.

Three to eight per category. Categories hold enough brands to make a real comparison and few enough that every brand is a genuine contender.

Locked for the year. The 2026–27 cohort was fixed in October 2026. Brands are not added or removed during the edition, except where a company ceases to exist or merges into another. Any such change is recorded on the methodology page.

Public and private alike. Public sector undertakings, listed companies, private and family-owned companies and cooperatives are all eligible on the same terms.

Annual review. The cohort is reviewed between editions. Changes are limited, explained and published.

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