Sharad Pawar Net Worth: The ₹61 Crore Fortune of India’s Political Chanakya
Sharad Pawar is one of the most influential and enduring figures in Indian politics. Over a political career spanning more than six decades, he has served as the chief minister of Maharashtra (four times), the union minister for defense, and the union minister for agriculture. He is the founder and president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a party he established in 1999 after breaking away from the Indian National Congress. Known as the “Chanakya of Maharashtra” for his astute political maneuvering, Pawar has remained a central figure in Indian politics well into his 80s, and his influence continues to shape the political landscape of Maharashtra and the country.
As of 2026, Sharad Pawar’s net worth is estimated to be approximately ₹60.71 crore to ₹61 crore (roughly $7.3 million). According to an April 2026 report by NDTV, election affidavits show that Sharad Pawar has family assets worth ₹61 crore. This figure places him third in the wealth rankings within his own family, behind his daughter Supriya Sule (₹167 crore) and his nephew’s wife Sunetra Pawar (₹122 crore).
Quick Facts
Who Is Sharad Pawar?
Sharad Pawar is an Indian politician and the founder and president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Born on December 12, 1940, in Baramati, Maharashtra, he began his political journey as a young activist in the Youth Congress and has since held some of the highest offices in the country. He served as the chief minister of Maharashtra on four separate occasions and held key union cabinet portfolios, including defense and agriculture.
His political career is marked by his ability to navigate complex political landscapes, earning him the moniker “Chanakya of Maharashtra.” He is one of the few Indian politicians who have remained undefeated in electoral politics for over 56 years, having been first elected as an MLA from Baramati in 1967.
Early Life and Education
Sharad Pawar was born on December 12, 1940, in Baramati, a town in the Pune district of Maharashtra, into a family of local farmer leaders. He was the eighth child of Govindrao and Shardabai Pawar, who had 11 children. His mother, Shardabai Pawar, was associated with the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) and the Congress, inspiring his political grounding.
Pawar pursued his education at the Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce in Pune. He completed his secondary school certificate (SSC) examination in 1958 from the Maharashtra State Board. After completing his studies, he became actively involved in student politics and joined the youth wing of the Indian National Congress. He was mentored by Yashwantrao Chavan, a senior Maharashtra politician.
Political Career: The Rise of a Leader
Early Years and Entry into Politics
Sharad Pawar’s political journey began in 1958 when he joined the Youth Congress at the age of 18. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Pune District Youth Congress president. In 1967, at just 27 years old, he won his first Assembly election from his home turf of Baramati. Since then, he has been a member of either the state legislature or Parliament, never losing an election.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra
At the age of 38, Pawar became the youngest chief minister of Maharashtra, a position he held four times over the course of his career. He served as Chief Minister from 1978 to 1980, 1988 to 1991, 1993 to 1995, and again in 2020.
Union Minister
Pawar also held significant positions at the national level. He served as the defense minister of India under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao from 1991 to 1993. He later led the Union Ministry of Agriculture from 2004 to 2014.
Founding the NCP
In 1999, Pawar parted ways with the Indian National Congress after a leadership dispute with Sonia Gandhi and founded the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The NCP allied with the Congress to form a coalition government in Maharashtra after the 1999 state legislative elections.
Recent Developments
In 2023, the NCP split into two factions. One faction, under the leadership of his nephew Ajit Pawar, went with the BJP; the other remained with Sharad Pawar as the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). Despite this setback, Pawar has continued to lead his faction and remains a dominant force in Maharashtra politics.
Sharad Pawar Net Worth: How He Built His Fortune
Sharad Pawar’s net worth is estimated to be ₹60.71 crore (roughly $7.3 million), based on election affidavits filed during the Rajya Sabha elections in 2026. According to a report by Cobrapost, Supriya Sule has family assets worth ₹167 crore—nearly thrice as much as Sharad Pawar, who has assets worth ₹61 crore.
Sources of Wealth
Agricultural Land: Coming from a family of farmer leaders, Pawar owns significant agricultural land in the Baramati region.
Real Estate: According to affidavit data, Pawar’s total assets in 2026 were ₹60.71 crore, including ₹44.72 crore in movable assets and ₹15.99 crore in immovable property.
Investments: Pawar has investments in shares and other financial instruments. His total assets have grown significantly over the years, from ₹32.73 crore in 2020 to ₹60.71 crore in 2026.
Comparison with Family Members
| Family Member | Net Worth (2026) |
|---|---|
| Supriya Sule (Daughter) | ₹167 crore |
| Sunetra Pawar (Nephew’s Wife) | ₹122 crore |
| Sharad Pawar | ₹60.71 crore |
| Parth Pawar (Grandson) | ₹87-88 crore |
It is worth noting that his grandson Parth Pawar, son of Ajit Pawar, has total assets of ₹87-88 crore, exceeding Sharad Pawar’s ₹60.71 crore.
Assets and Liabilities
According to election affidavits, Sharad Pawar’s total assets are approximately ₹60.71 crore, with liabilities of around ₹49.8 lakh. This represents a significant increase from his earlier declared assets of ₹32.73 crore in 2020.
Personal Life
Family
Sharad Pawar is married to Pratibha Pawar (née Shinde), daughter of the test cricketer Sadashiv Shinde. They have one daughter, Supriya Sule, who is a three-term Lok Sabha MP from Baramati. Supriya Sule is married to Sadanand Sule. She has emerged as the richest member of the Pawar family, with assets worth ₹167 crore.
Health
Sharad Pawar is 85 years old as of 2026. Despite his age, he remains actively involved in politics, directing his party’s moves and mentoring young leaders. He was recently granted Z+ security by the Union government.
Controversies and Challenges
NCP Split
In 2023, the NCP split into two groups—one under the leadership of Ajit Pawar that aligned with the BJP and the other staying with Sharad Pawar as the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). This was a major blow to the party, but Sharad Pawar did not step down as the faction chief and instead strengthened his core support.
Sugar Mill Politics
The Pawar family has deep roots in the cooperative sugar industry. In June 2025, Ajit Pawar trounced his uncle Sharad Pawar in the election for the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Factory in Baramati.
Cricket Administration
Pawar also served as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the International Cricket Council, which drew criticism alongside his political career.
Interesting Facts About Sharad Pawar
- Sharad Pawar was born on December 12, 1940, making him 85 years old as of 2026.
- He has been undefeated in his 56 years of electoral politics since he first became MLA from Baramati in 1967.
- He became the youngest chief minister of Maharashtra at the age of 38.
- His mother, Shardabai Pawar, was associated with the Peasants and Workers Party and the Congress, inspiring his political grounding.
- He founded the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999 after breaking away from the Congress.
- He has served as the Union Minister for Defense (1991-1993) and the Union Minister for Agriculture (2004-2014).
- His daughter, Supriya Sule, is the richest member of the Pawar family with assets worth ₹167 crore.
- His grandson, Parth Pawar, with assets of ₹87-88 crore, is wealthier than Sharad Pawar.
- He has been granted Z+ security by the Union government.
- He was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the International Cricket Council.
- He is known as the “Chanakya of Maharashtra” for his political acumen.
- He has held the Baramati constituency, his home turf, for decades, representing it either in the state legislature or Parliament.
- His total assets grew from ₹32.73 crore in 2020 to ₹60.71 crore in 2026.
- He is one of the few Opposition leaders to whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi defers.
- He authored his memoir “On My Terms: From the Grassroots to the Corridors of Power” in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sharad Pawar’s net worth?
Sharad Pawar’s net worth is estimated to be ₹60.71 crore (approximately $7.3 million) as of 2026, based on election affidavits. Some sources report his total assets as ₹61 crore.
How old is Sharad Pawar?
Sharad Pawar was born on December 12, 1940, making him 85 years old as of 2026.
Who is Sharad Pawar’s daughter?
Sharad Pawar’s daughter is Supriya Sule, a three-term Lok Sabha MP from Baramati. She is married to Sadanand Sule.
How many times has Sharad Pawar been chief minister?
Sharad Pawar has served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra four times: 1978-1980, 1988-1991, 1993-1995, and 2020.
What is the NCP?
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is a political party founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 after he broke away from the Indian National Congress.
Who is richer, Sharad Pawar or his daughter Supriya Sule?
Supriya Sule is richer than her father, with assets worth ₹167 crore, nearly thrice the ₹60.71 crore of Sharad Pawar.
What is Sharad Pawar’s educational background?
Sharad Pawar completed his SSC (10th pass) in 1958 from the Maharashtra State Board. He studied at the Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce in Pune.
Is Sharad Pawar still active in politics?
Yes, Sharad Pawar is still active in politics at 85 years of age, directing his party’s moves and mentoring young leaders.
What is Sharad Pawar’s connection to cricket?
Sharad Pawar served as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2005 to 2008 and as the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2010 to 2012.
Why is Sharad Pawar called the “Chanakya of Maharashtra”?
Sharad Pawar is called the “Chanakya of Maharashtra” for his astute political maneuvering and ability to navigate complex political landscapes.
Conclusion
Sharad Pawar’s journey from a young activist in Baramati to one of the most influential political figures in India is a remarkable story of resilience, political acumen, and enduring leadership. With an estimated net worth of ₹60.71 crore, he has built a substantial fortune over his six-decade-long career, though he is no longer the richest member of his own family.
His legacy is defined by his ability to remain a dominant force in Maharashtra politics for over 60 years, his role in founding the NCP, and his service as chief minister and union minister. Despite facing challenges such as the split in the NCP in 2023 and a power struggle with his nephew Ajit Pawar, he has continued to lead his faction and mentor a new generation of leaders.
Sharad Pawar is not just a politician; he is a symbol of political longevity and strategic brilliance. His influence on Indian politics, particularly in Maharashtra, will be felt for years to come. As he continues to navigate the ever-changing political landscape at 85, his story remains a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to public service.
Sharad Pawar is not just the “Chanakya of Maharashtra”; he is a living legend of Indian politics whose legacy will continue to inspire generations.
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