Rajiv Singh doesn’t just build homes—he crafts empires. As chairman of DLF Limited, India’s largest real estate developer with a market cap of ₹1,88,037.31 crore, Singh has transformed urban landscapes into bastions of luxury. Founded in 1946, DLF pioneered luxury residential development in India, introducing iconic projects like The Magnolias and The Aralias in Gurugram in the early 2000s. These developments, launched in 2004 and 2005 respectively, set enduring standards for opulence with sprawling residences, golf-course views, and exclusive amenities, establishing DLF as the gold standard for India’s affluent. Today, the company delivers sustainable, innovative communities that command premiums 20 to 50 percent above market averages, blending prestige with eco-conscious design.
Born in 1959, Singh is the third-generation torchbearer of DLF, founded by his grandfather Chaudhary Raghvendra Singh and scaled by his father, Kushal Pal Singh. A mechanical engineering graduate from MIT, he brings precision and foresight to an industry often mired in volatility. “Real estate thrives on sustainability, not bubbles,” Singh declared in a 2025 interview, a mantra reflected in DLF’s record-breaking ₹21,700 crore pre-sales in FY25, with a goal of ₹20,000–22,500 crore for FY26. His net worth, exceeding $14.4 billion, cements his status as India’s richest real estate magnate, with a FY25 compensation of ₹37 crore.
DLF targets the uber-luxury segment—properties above ₹20 crore—where scarcity drives value. Its flagship, The Camellias in Gurugram, spans 17.5 acres with 429 ultra-large residences starting at ₹7.8 million. Facing a golf course, these homes offer private elevators, wellness hubs, and LEED-certified designs, appealing to eco-conscious buyers. DLF’s formula—exclusive locations, bespoke amenities and smart technology—yields stellar return on investment, and high rental returns in a low-inventory market. “We’re selling a lifestyle, a legacy,” Singh told shareholders in 2025.
Also Read: Luxury that Lasts: Homes that can be passed down generations
The Camellias has become a beacon for India’s business elite, drawing visionaries like Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal, who purchased a 10,813 sq ft residence for ₹52 crore in 2025, and Lenskart’s Peyush Bansal, both Shark Tank stars.
In 2024, DLF deepened its NCR footprint. Its Gurugram launch ‘Privana South’ saw bookings of ₹7,200 crore within days, and together with other FY24-FY25 Gurugram launches, cumulative bookings are expected to surpass ₹10,000 crore.
Singh is charting a future where luxury is not merely lived—it’s timeless. His leadership ensures DLF remains the pinnacle of India’s aspirational lifestyle.
First Published: Oct 08, 2025, 14:44
Subscribe Now(This story appears in the Oct 03, 2025 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, Click here.)