When it comes to Indian business tycoons who’ve built their empires across diverse sectors, Sanjiv Goenka stands out as a remarkable figure. Best known to sports fans as the owner of the IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), he is also the chairman of the RPSG Group, a massive conglomerate with interests in power, retail, media, chemicals, education, infrastructure, and more.
As of March 2024, Forbes estimated Sanjiv Goenka’s net worth at $4 billion (approximately ₹34,000 crore), placing him among India’s richest and most influential entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, the RPSG Group employs over 50,000 people, and continues to grow with a strong emphasis on innovation, quality, and impact.
Let’s dive deep into the companies and sectors Sanjiv Goenka commands under the RPSG Group.
Power & Energy: Lighting Up Indian Cities Since 1899
One of the oldest and most essential parts of the RPSG Group is CESC Limited, which has been supplying electricity to Kolkata since 1899. But the group’s reach goes far beyond the city.
RPSG Group also provides power to:
- Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh)
- Kota, Bikaner, Bharatpur (Rajasthan)
- Malegaon (Maharashtra)
With a thermal power capacity of 2,400 MW, the Group also actively invests in renewable energy, with solar and wind projects in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Key companies in this sector:
- CESC Limited
- Integrated Coal Mining Limited (ICML)
- Crescent Power Limited (CPL)
- Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL)
Chemicals: Leading the Carbon Black Industry
Through PCBL Limited (formerly known as Phillips Carbon Black Ltd.), RPSG Group is India’s largest producer of carbon black—a key material used in tyre manufacturing, paints, inks, and more. Operational since 1960, PCBL has plants across West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and exports to over 50 countries.
In addition to production, the company also runs high-tech R&D centres in India and Belgium, and contributes to sustainability with 122 MW of green power generation.
Other companies in this domain:
- PCBL Limited
- Aquapharm Chemicals
- Nanovace Technologies
IT & Business Process Management: Firstsource Solutions
RPSG made a strong entry into the IT sector with Firstsource Solutions, a global Business Process Management (BPM) firm. Firstsource provides outsourcing services that help major global clients streamline operations and cut costs. It stands out in delivering customised tech-enabled services in banking, healthcare, telecom, and media.
Consumer Goods & Retail: From Everyday Essentials to Modern Retail
The consumer segment of the RPSG Group is diverse and rapidly growing. At the core of it lies Spencer’s Retail, one of India’s earliest supermarket chains. To strengthen its presence in the gourmet and organic segment, the Group also acquired Nature’s Basket.
Another key brand is Too Yumm!, a health-focused snack brand that’s now a household name. Alongside, the Group also runs:
- Dr Vaidya’s (Ayurvedic wellness)
- Waffle Wallah
- Biryani Battuta
- The Gift Studio
- 2BMe (fashion retail)
- Evita
- RPSG Capital Ventures (investment and funding arm)
These brands collectively showcase RPSG’s ability to stay relevant and competitive in India’s evolving retail landscape.
Media & Entertainment: Reviving Classics and Embracing Digital
RPSG Group’s media division is led by Saregama India Ltd, one of India’s oldest and most loved music labels. With a rich catalogue of classical, devotional, and Bollywood music, Saregama is a cultural icon.
The Group also owns Open Magazine, known for fearless journalism, and has invested in modern content platforms such as:
- Pocket Aces (digital content studio)
- Editorji (news platform)
- Yoodlee Films (film production)
- Fortune India
- Esquire India
- RPSG Lifestyle Media
This blend of legacy and modern media helps RPSG stay relevant across generations.
Sports: Shaping India’s Sports Culture
Sanjiv Goenka’s interest in sports is not limited to being an IPL team owner. The Group has been an active participant in Indian football and cricket over the years.
Cricket:
- Rising Pune Supergiant (2016–17) – A temporary IPL team led by MS Dhoni and Steve Smith.
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Launched in 2021, and qualified for IPL playoffs in both 2022 and 2023.
Football:
- ATK (Atlético de Kolkata) – The Group’s first football club, later merged with Mohun Bagan, forming Mohun Bagan Super Giant, one of India’s oldest and most celebrated clubs.
Global Presence:
- Durban’s Super Giants – Participating in the South Africa T20 cricket league.
All these ventures are managed under RPSG Sports.
Education & Infrastructure: Nurturing Minds and Building Spaces
Sanjiv Goenka is equally committed to education and healthcare. One of the Group’s most prominent contributions is the International Management Institute (IMI) — India’s first corporate-sponsored B-school, with campuses in Delhi, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata.
In schooling, the Group runs the RP Goenka International School, focusing on holistic education.
On the infrastructure front, RPSG owns:
- Quest Mall – Kolkata’s premier luxury shopping destination
- Woodlands Hospital – A trusted name in healthcare in Eastern India
These institutions stand as examples of RPSG’s commitment to societal development beyond business.