The Indian Express Power List, which ranks the 100 most powerful Indians, for the year 2016, has been released. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led his party the BJP to a landslide victory in the 2014 national elections, remains the most powerful Indian. Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the RSS (the ideological fountainhead of the BJP), holds the second spot, very much an indicator of the influence of his organization on the present government. He is followed by BJP chief Amit Shah, who occupies the third spot. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Congress President Sonia Gandhi covet the fourth and fifth spots.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has not lost a single opportunity to attack the Centre, is at 8th spot. Among sportspersons, Virat Kohli, the vice captain of the Indian cricket team, is at 42nd spot. Badminton player Saina Nehwal is at 84th spot and tennis star Sania Mirza is at 85th spot. Rahul Gandhi has been given 9th rank in the Power List.

Among Bollywood actors, Salman Khan, who has had a troubled 2015 with the hearings in the 2002 hit-and-run case, is ranked 83rd. Actor Deepika Padukone is at 93rd spot and Priyanka Chopra at 98th spot.

Top 100 Powerful Indians