Richest YouTuber India: Who’s Making the Most Money?

If you’ve ever wondered how much money Indian YouTubers really pull in, you’re not alone. The numbers can be eye‑opening, and the ways they earn are easier to copy than you think. In this guide we’ll break down the current top earners, the streams that fill their wallets, and a few practical steps you can try on your own channel.

Top 5 Highest‑Paid Indian Creators (2025)

1. Ajey Nagar (CarryMinati) – Approx. ₹150 crore per year. Lives on a mix of ad revenue, brand deals, and a thriving merchandise line.

2. Ashish Chanchlani – Around ₹120 crore. He leans heavily on sponsored videos, YouTube Shorts revenue and a growing YouTube Premium share.

3. Bhuvan Bam – Close to ₹100 crore. Apart from ads, he makes big money from his own streaming platform, music releases, and live shows.

4. Gaurav Chaudhary (Technical Guruji) – About ₹85 crore. Tech reviews pull high CPM rates, and his affiliate links for gadgets add a solid bump.

5. Prajakta Koli (MostlySane) – Roughly ₹70 crore. Comedy sketches draw brand partnerships, and her YouTube channel merch line pushes the total.

These figures come from publicly reported earnings, brand partnership disclosures, and industry estimates. The exact numbers shift every quarter, but the pattern stays the same: diversified income beats relying on just ad clicks.

How They Make Money (And How You Can, Too)

AdSense CPM – The basic pay‑per‑thousand‑views rate varies by niche. Tech and finance usually fetch ₹200–₹300 per 1,000 views, while comedy sits around ₹80–₹150. Focus on creating content that keeps viewers engaged for longer; higher watch time lifts CPM.

Brand Sponsorships – Brands pay creators to showcase products. A mid‑tier sponsor can pay ₹5 lakhs per video, while a mega‑brand might go into crores. Start by reaching out to small local companies and build a media kit that highlights your niche and audience stats.

Affiliate Marketing – When you recommend a product and link it with an affiliate code, you earn a commission on each sale. Tech Guruji makes a chunk of his income this way. Sign up for affiliate programs that match your content, and place links naturally in descriptions.

Merchandise – T‑shirts, caps, mugs, and digital products can add a steady stream. Even a modest audience of 10 k fans buying a ₹500 tee each month brings in ₹5 lakhs.

Memberships & Super Chats – Live streams let fans tip or pay for exclusive badges. If you go live once a week and keep the chat lively, you can pull a few thousand rupees every session.

Putting it together, the richest creators combine at least three of these sources. That mix cushions them when one revenue line dips.

Now, what can you do today? First, audit your channel’s niche and see which of the above streams fits best. Second, tighten your video SEO: use clear titles, add relevant tags, and craft compelling thumbnails. Third, reach out to one brand a week with a short pitch and a link to your best-performing video.

Keep tracking your analytics. If a video’s CPM jumps after you add a product review, double down on that format. The key is to experiment, learn from the data, and stay consistent. The richest YouTubers didn’t get there by chance—they built multiple money makers around their audience.

Ready to move up the earnings ladder? Start with one new income source this month and watch the numbers change. Your future as one of India’s top earners could be just a few smart moves away.