Billionaire Profile
Motilal Oswal
Global Rank
#2461

Image: Udaykumar PR | CC BY 3.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Motilal Oswal

CEO, Financial services
INDIA
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.668B
Estimated based on Financial services stock value as of April 21, 2026
-0.93% (24h)
Age
63
Source
Financial services
Industry
Finance & Investments
Citizenship
INDIA

Biography

Motilal Oswal is an Indian businessman and chartered accountant. He is the co-founder, chairman, and managing director of Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd (MOFSL), a leading financial services firm. Born in Rajasthan, Oswal's journey began with a vision to bring professionalism and research-driven advisory to equity broking. He co-founded MOFSL in 1987, transforming it from a small sub-broking unit into a financial services conglomerate. His source of wealth is primarily from financial services. As of March 25, 2026, Motilal Oswal's net worth is estimated to be 1.5 billion USD. He is known for his focus on value investing and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the capital markets and business. In 2023, he pledged to donate 5% of his holdings in Motilal Oswal for philanthropic causes.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 4/21/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Motilal Oswal was born in 1962 in Padru village, Barmer, Rajasthan, India. He came from a Jain family, and his father was a grain trader. Oswal decided to pursue formal education, studying at S.P.U. Jain College in Falna before moving to Mumbai to study Chartered Accountancy (CA).

Rise to Success

In 1987, Motilal Oswal co-founded Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. (MOFSL) with Raamdeo Agrawal. Starting as a small sub-broking unit, they aimed to bring professionalism and transparency to equity broking. Under Oswal's leadership, the company expanded significantly. He focused on customer support, HR, operations, and expansion of the franchise network. Over the years, MOFSL diversified into wealth management, asset management, investment banking, and other financial services. The company's client base was around 7.3 million at the end of June 2024.

Key Business Strategies

Motilal Oswal's success is attributed to his focus on value investing and long-term strategies. The company has delivered good profit growth and has a good return on equity (ROE) track record. A key strategy was building a strong research team and offering research-backed advisory services. MOFSL focused on building a strong knowledge-first culture and has also been recognized as a Great Place to Work.

Philanthropy

In 2023, Motilal Oswal and co-founder Raamdeo Agrawal pledged to donate 5% of their respective holdings in Motilal Oswal for philanthropic causes, including education, health, and rural upliftment. He co-founded Rishihood University in 2020.

Career Milestones

1987

Co-founded Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. (MOFSL)

Co-founded Motilal Oswal Financial Services as a sub-broking unit.

1989

Company Name

Badge issued with the name Motilal Oswal, which subsequently became the name of the company they founded.

2005

Entered into Investment Banking

MOFSL expanded its services to include investment banking.

2006

Entered into Private Equity Fund

MOFSL expanded its services to include Private Equity.

2010

Set up a Mutual Fund Business

Set up Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company (MOAMC).

2020

Co-founded Rishihood University

Established Rishihood University, a non-profit institution dedicated to fostering leadership and entrepreneurship education.

2023

Philanthropic Pledge

Pledged 5% of personal holdings in Motilal Oswal Financial Services for philanthropic causes.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education, Health and Rural Development

Education, health and rural upliftment

$XB

Pledged 5% of his stake for philanthropic causes.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"I always believe that first we need to become better then only we can become bigger."

Leadership Principles

Client First

Align incentives to client outcomes and long-term value creation.

Research Driven

Proprietary research and data‑led investment decisions.

Integrity & Transparency

Rigorous disclosures and compliance orientation.

Innovation

Continual enhancement of digital platforms and product design.

Excellence & Accountability

Measurable goals and performance stewardship.

Controversies & Challenges

2024

Cyberattack

Motilal Oswal Financial Services faced a cyberattack by the ransomware group LockBit, which claimed to have accessed confidential data, potentially affecting over six million clients.