The Top Investment Bankers in India

India’s investment banking landscape in 2026 is a high-octane mix of global bulge-bracket powerhouses and dominant homegrown firms. These leaders are the architects behind the country’s biggest IPOs, billion-dollar M&A deals, and the massive capital flow into the tech and renewable sectors.

Here are the top 10 investment bankers in India for 2026, including their roles and direct professional links.

1. Ramesh Srinivasan

MD & CEO, Kotak Investment Banking Ramesh is a veteran who has spent over three decades in the industry. Under his leadership, Kotak Mahindra Capital consistently tops the league tables for Equity Capital Markets (ECM). He is the “safe pair of hands” for Indian promoters looking to go public or navigate complex domestic regulations.

Company Link: Kotak Investment Banking
LinkedIn Profile: Ramesh Srinivasan

2. Gaurav Deepak

Co-founder and CEO, Avendus Capital The “Tech Banker” of India. Gaurav has transformed Avendus into the go-to firm for the startup ecosystem. If a unicorn is being sold or raised a massive PE round in the last few years, chances are Gaurav and his team were in the middle of it.

Company Link: Avendus Capital
LinkedIn Profile: Gaurav Deepak

3. Vishal Kampani

Vice Chairman & MD, JM Financial Representing “old money” relationships with a modern execution edge, Vishal is the driving force behind JM Financial’s success in large-cap M&A and restructuring. His deep-rooted connections with India’s largest business houses make him a formidable dealmaker.

Company Link: JM Financial
LinkedIn Profile: Vishal Kampani

4. Pranav Chawda

MD & CEO, J.P. Morgan India Appointed to lead J.P. Morgan’s integrated banking franchise in late 2024, Chawda oversees some of the largest cross-border transactions and corporate banking relationships in the country. He represents the pinnacle of global bulge-bracket banking in India.

Company Link: J.P. Morgan India
LinkedIn Profile: Pranav Chawda

5. Atul Mehra

MD & CEO, Axis Capital A legendary dealmaker who recently moved from JM Financial to lead Axis Capital, Atul is credited with bringing massive institutional energy to Axis. He is known for his ability to close marquee IPOs and navigate heavy-industry M&A.

Company Link: Axis Capital
LinkedIn Profile: Atul Mehra

6. Rajeev Gupta

Founding Partner, Arpwood Capital Often described as the most influential “independent” banker in India, Rajeev is the man companies call for the truly massive, complex M&A deals that require absolute discretion. Arpwood may be a boutique, but its impact is giant-sized.

Company Link: Arpwood Capital
LinkedIn Profile: Rajeev Gupta

7. Sudarshan Ramakrishnan

Co-Head of Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs India Sudarshan leads Goldman’s strategy in India with a focus on Tech, Media, and Telecom (TMT). He is a key bridge for Indian companies looking for global institutional capital or international listings.

Company Link: Goldman Sachs India
LinkedIn Profile: Sudarshan Ramakrishnan

8. Devarajan Nambakam

Co-Head of Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs India Working alongside Sudarshan, Devarajan focuses on Financial Sponsors (PE firms), Healthcare, and Infrastructure. He is widely respected for his deep sector knowledge and execution precision.

Company Link: Goldman Sachs India
LinkedIn Profile: Devarajan Nambakam

9. Sujay Shah

MD & Global Head of Cleantech M&A, Standard Chartered As India pivots toward green energy, Sujay has become one of the most important bankers in the renewable and ESG space. He handles massive cross-border capital flows into India’s energy transition.

Company Link: Standard Chartered India
LinkedIn Profile: Sujay Shah

10. Mahesh Singhi

Founder & MD, Singhi Advisors Mahesh is the king of mid-market M&A. While the global banks fight over the billion-dollar headlines, Mahesh and his firm have quietly closed hundreds of deals, making him one of the most active individual dealmakers in the country’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Company Link: Singhi Advisors
LinkedIn Profile: Mahesh Singhi

more