Richest YouTuber in India: Who Holds the Top Spot in 2025?

YouTube in India is a mega money maker — but that doesn’t mean every channel rakes in crores. Still, there’s one guy who’s left the rest in the dust: CarryMinati, or Ajey Nagar. He’s not just cracking jokes or roasting celebrities; he’s basically turned his channel into a business empire.

If you ever wondered whether making videos actually pays the bills in India, look at CarryMinati’s numbers—think luxury cars, a multi-crore house, brand tie-ups, and enough subscribers to fill stadiums in every big city. His income isn’t just ad money, either; the big checks come from sponsorships, live streams, and even selling exclusive merch.

But is it easy to reach his level? Not even close. The YouTube game in India is ultra-competitive, with millions hoping to go viral. But understanding how Carry cracked the code can actually give you an edge—whether you want to start a channel, make a side income, or just satisfy your curiosity about Indian online stardom.

• Meet India’s Richest YouTuber
• How He Built His Empire
• What Top YouTubers in India Actually Earn
• Tips to Grow Your Own YouTube Channel

Meet India’s Richest YouTuber

When it comes to the richest YouTuber in India, no one is beating CarryMinati right now. His real name is Ajey Nagar, and he’s been making videos since he was a teenager in Faridabad, Haryana. His YouTube channel blew up around 2016, thanks to his savage roast videos and quick, meme-filled commentary on trending topics.

CarryMinati stands out for having more than 42 million subscribers, which pretty much puts him in the league of YouTube royalty, not just in India but worldwide. In mid-2024, his channel crossed the 15 billion total views milestone—yeah, you read that right. Major brands line up for collaborations, and he’s not shy about using his reach to launch his own products, from hoodies to music tracks.

His videos aren’t just about laughs—they’re production-heavy, with an editing style that’s fast, snappy, and super relatable to India’s Gen Z crowd. CarryMinati’s influence even spills into music, live streaming, and gaming, which are booming markets. And while some YouTubers fade away after a viral moment, he keeps coming up with fresh content that hits millions right out of the gate.

If you’re wondering—how does someone like CarryMinati earn so much? Apart from YouTube income India from ads, he pulls in loads from sponsorships, paid promotions, concert appearances, and selling his own merch. Yes, he’s had plenty of drama and controversy, but that’s pretty much normal when you’re playing at this level.

How He Built His Empire

Ajey Nagar, better known as CarryMinati, started his YouTube journey back in 2014. He was just a teenager from Faridabad with a beat-up computer and big ideas. He didn’t go viral right away — his first channel was about football tricks, and when that fizzled, he switched to gaming and roasting videos. That’s when things started picking up.

He hit the sweet spot by making funny roast videos and reaction videos about Indian pop culture. People loved his raw, unfiltered style. These videos exploded during 2016-2017, and his subscriber count shot up by the lakhs after each viral upload. If you’re wondering about real numbers—by late 2024, he’d crossed 41 million subscribers, making him the richest YouTuber in India.

• Consistency: He uploads regularly, and keeps his audience waiting for the next punchline.
• Trends: He’s quick to jump on viral topics—like the TikTok vs YouTube battle in 2020, which made his "YouTube vs TikTok: The End" video break all records in India before it got taken down.
• Quality: His editing is sharp, and his jokes actually land. He re-invests in better gear, lighting, and effects after every milestone.
• Branching Out: Carry’s not just about YouTube. He streams live games, partners with brands like Arctic Fox and WinZO, and even made a cameo in Bollywood in 2022 (the Amitabh Bachchan movie 'Runway 34').
• Merch & Sponsorships: His branded hoodies and tees sell out fast, and his sponsorship deals easily bring in lakhs per video.

Want a look at the money side? Here’s a rough idea of how much the top Indian YouTubers like CarryMinati actually pull in (monthly figures in INR):

Of course, these numbers can swing up or down depending on trends and launches, but you get the picture—he turned viral videos into a multi-crore business. And he’s kept his formula simple: stay real, keep things funny, and always ride the next wave of internet drama.

What Top YouTubers in India Actually Earn

So everyone’s seen those viral videos claiming you can get rich quick by making videos. But how much do top Indian YouTubers actually pull in? The real numbers might surprise you.

CarryMinati is the richest YouTuber in India right now, but his income isn’t one-size-fits-all. A few years ago, he pulled in around Rs 4-5 crore per year just from YouTube ads. Since then, he’s doubled or even tripled that, thanks to huge sponsorship deals and selling his own stuff. Today, sources estimate his yearly take-home is between 8 and 12 crore rupees. That’s not counting appearances, brand launches, or crazy big collabs with companies like Arctic Fox, Winzo, or even Netflix.

But Carry’s not alone. Other Indian content creators like Ashish Chanchlani, Bhuvan Bam (BB Ki Vines), and Technical Guruji are making crores too. Their earning breakdown looks a bit like this:

• YouTube AdSense – This is your core income, and for the top channels it’s often 40-50% of the pie.
• Sponsorships & Brand Deals – The big money comes from brands. Rates can go from Rs 3 lakh per video for smaller influencers to Rs 25 lakh (or more) per shout-out for the biggest stars.
• Super Chats & Live Streams – Live gaming and Q&As pull in lakhs, especially for channels with loyal fans.
• Merchandise – Selling t-shirts, mugs, and even digital content can be huge, especially with merchandise stores tied to the creator’s brand.

To give you a snapshot, here’s a table breaking down rough monthly earnings for India’s top YouTubers right now (not counting outside investments or TV gigs):

Remember, these numbers only reflect the absolute top. Most creators make a lot less. But it’s proof that serious money is flowing through YouTube income India — if your channel makes it big.

Tips to Grow Your Own YouTube Channel

Ready to get serious about YouTube? These days, just uploading random vlogs won’t cut it. If you want even a shot at being as big as the richest YouTuber India has ever seen, you need a plan and a bit of hustle. Here’s what nobody tells you but everyone successful does:

• Pick a Niche and Stick to It: CarryMinati doubled down on roasting and comedy. Find your thing and go deep—not wide. Algorithms reward consistency, and viewers subscribe for a specific vibe.
• Crush Your Thumbnails and Titles: YouTube’s own data shows that over 90% of best-performing videos have custom, clear thumbnails. Title + thumbnail is your hook. Make it pop and promise something real.
• Upload Regularly, Even If It’s Not Daily: Once a week beats random uploads. Set a schedule you can actually keep. Top Indian content creators treat it like work, not a hobby.
• Engage Like Crazy in Comments: When people comment, reply. The YouTube algorithm pushes videos with high engagement. It feels small, but it works.
• Don’t Ignore Shorts: YouTube Shorts are blowing up in India. Some channels grew from 10k to 1 million subs in a year just with Shorts. Even top Indian YouTubers use them for reach.
• Collaborate Smart: Team up with other creators in your niche. Both audiences benefit. It’s not about stealing subs; it’s about growing together.
• Track What Works: Use YouTube analytics. Watch time, click-through rate, and retention are gold. If a video pops off, study why and try repeating the magic.

And remember, most YouTube income India numbers only look big after years of posting. So be patient, and focus on what’s working instead of what’s trending for a week. If CarryMinati started again today, you can bet he’d follow the same blueprint, but with more memes and even sharper editing.