HDFC Bank has reclaimed the top spot among India’s most valuable brands in the latest Kantar BrandZ 2025 report, surpassing Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to become the country’s most highly valued brand again.
Key Highlights
- HDFC Bank reclaims No. 1 spot with brand value rising to $44.9 billion in Kantar BrandZ 2025.
- India’s top 100 brands now have a combined brand value of $523.5 billion, per Kantar report.
The bank’s brand value is now estimated at $44.9 billion, reflecting an 18% increase over the previous year. This resurgence underscores HDFC Bank’s renewed focus on innovation, strong digital initiatives, and deep consumer engagement, which have helped solidify its position. Since Kantar’s first India BrandZ report in 2014, HDFC Bank’s brand value has soared by 377%, illustrating a long-term upward trajectory.
According to the report, the brand valuation methodology used by Kantar combines both financial performance metrics — how much of the parent company’s value can be attributed to the brand — and brand contribution, which measures how effectively the brand drives demand and allows premium pricing.
One of the key reasons cited for HDFC Bank’s strong performance is its consistent investment in brand-led innovation. The report mentions signature brand assets such as the “Vigil Aunty” persona for fraud awareness, and a 30-minute digital auto loan product, which have helped reinforce its customer-first strategy.
However, Kantar also points out that HDFC Bank’s like-for-like brand growth has slowed this year to 6%, down from 19% in the prior year, signaling that brand investment must pick up to maintain its lead. As Soumya Mohanty (Managing Director and Chief Solutions Officer, South Asia, Kantar) observed, genuine differentiation and consumer value are now more important than ever to sustain brand equity.
Also Read: TCS Valuation Falls Below Infosys and HCL Tech After 14 Years
In a broader perspective, the combined brand value of India’s top 100 brands now stands at $523.5 billion, roughly 13% of India’s GDP, according to the Kantar report. The ranking also includes 18 newcomers, with UltraTech Cement debuting strongly in the materials category.
Another highlight from the report is that Zomato continues to be the fastest-rising brand for the second year in a row, climbing 10 places in the rankings.
Overall, HDFC Bank’s return to the top spot reflects not just its financial strength, but also its ability to innovate, build emotionally resonant brand assets, and remain closely aligned to consumer needs.
