Top Podcasters in India (2026): Updated Rankings, Trends & the Rise of True Crime + Horror
- Parikshit Khanna
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Podcasting in India has continued its explosive growth into 2026, fueled by:
150M+ listeners and rising fast
Easy access via Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Gaana
Strong regional adoption across Hindi, English, and regional languages
High-performing genres like business, self-growth, true crime, horror, mythology, comedy, finance, and fiction
True crime, horror, and self-improvement remain dominant, while business and entrepreneurship podcasts continue to hold mainstream appeal.
Why Podcasting Is Booming in India (2026)
Growth Driver | Why It Matters |
Massive listener base | Podcast audiences have crossed 150M+ and continue to grow |
Multi-platform discovery | Spotify + YouTube + Apple + Indian audio apps increase reach |
Language expansion | Hindi + regional podcasts unlock new markets |
Genre diversity | Business, finance, mythology, comedy, crime, horror, wellness |
Low data + convenience | Ideal for travel, workouts, and late-night listening |
Top 30 Podcasters/Shows in India (Ranked for 2026)
Rankings below are based on influence, cultural impact, audience engagement, and visibility across major platforms (Spotify charts, Apple rankings, YouTube views, and public traction into early 2026). Rankings can shift as platforms update charts weekly.
Tier 1: Most Influential & Mainstream (Top Dominators)
Rank | Podcaster / Show | Genre | Why It’s Big |
1 | Raj Shamani – Figuring Out | Business, Entrepreneurship | Consistent chart-topper + mass influence |
2 | Ranveer Allahbadia – The Ranveer Show (TRS) | Self-growth, Spirituality, Interviews | Huge cross-platform reach + long-form interviews |
3 | The Desi Crime Podcast | True Crime | One of the fastest-growing crime shows |
4 | The Stories of Mahabharata | Mythology | Strong cultural pull + high replay value |
5 | The Horror Show by Khooni Monday | Horror | Rising wave of horror + true crime listening |
Tier 2: Business, Finance & Growth Powerhouses
Rank | Podcast | Category | Audience Value |
6 | Finshots Daily | Finance | Quick daily business insights |
7 | Finance with Sharan – Sharan Hegde | Personal Finance | Youth-friendly money education |
8 | Dostcast – Vinamre Kasanaa | Culture/Interviews | Deep conversations + strong loyalty |
9 | RealTalk With RealHit | Youth/Trends | Pop culture + relatability |
10 | Varun Mayya Podcast | Startups/AI/Tech | Thought leadership in emerging tech |
11 | Paisa Vaisa | Personal Finance | Consistent finance performer |
12 | The Indian Dream | Entrepreneurship | Founder journeys + motivation |
Tier 3: Culture, Comedy, Stories & Commentary
Rank | Podcast | Genre | Why Listeners Love It |
13 | Cyrus Says – Cyrus Broacha | Comedy/Culture | Legacy podcast + sharp commentary |
14 | Andar Ki Baat – Amit Tandon | Hindi Commentary | Relatable middle-class storytelling |
15 | Indian Noir | Fiction/Thriller | Cinematic audio storytelling |
16 | Maed in India | Music | Indie artist discovery |
17 | Wordy Wordpecker – Rachel Lopez | Literature | Smart, niche discussions |
18 | Has It Aged Well? | Bollywood/Culture | Nostalgia + deep reviews |
19 | Khandaan – A Bollywood Podcast | Bollywood | Analysis + film conversations |
Tier 4: Rising Stars, Niche & Emerging Voices
Rank | Podcast | Niche | Why It’s Growing |
20 | Prakhar Ke Pravachan | Philosophy | Cultural introspection + strong community |
21 | Unfiltered – Samdish Bhatia | Journalism | Ground reporting + raw conversations |
22 | Be A Man, Yaar! – Nikhil Taneja | Social Issues | Masculinity + reform-driven topics |
23 | Serving Up with Sania – Sania Mirza | Sports/Life | Celebrity-led storytelling |
24 | Padharo Mhare Podcast | Regional Culture | Folk narratives |
25 | Horror Time – Scary Stories in Hindi | Horror | Strong regional horror growth |
26 | SR PAY (True Crime Documentaries) | True Crime | Documentary-style narration |
27 | Pretkotha | Bengali Horror | Regional breakout show |
28 | ThePrintPod / Cut The Clutter | News/Policy | Strong political & policy analysis |
29 | Daybreak – The Ken | Business News | Premium business deep dives |
30 | Advertising Is Dead | Marketing/Creativity | Industry trends + debates |
What’s Changed Most in 2026?
Trend | What It Means |
True Crime + Horror surge | Listening volume has grown rapidly, especially in Hindi + regional |
Business & self-growth still lead | Mainstream demand remains strong with consistent chart toppers |
Regional podcasts rising | Bengali/Hindi/regional creators are scaling faster than before |
Video podcasts expanding | YouTube is now a major podcast discovery engine |
Why These Podcasters Matter (For Listeners + Brands)
Impact Area | Value |
High-trust communities | Podcasts build deeper loyalty than short-form content |
Strong brand ROI | Long attention spans + repeat listeners |
Education at scale | Finance, business, self-growth simplified for mass audience |
Culture shaping | Podcasts influence opinions and trend cycles |
Credits: Author & Editor
Role | Name | Contact |
Written By | Akshita | |
Co-written / Curated By | Parikshit Khanna |
Collaboration & Partnerships (Official)
For collaborations, podcast partnerships, sponsorship queries, SEO consulting, and content strategy support, reach out here:
Type | Details |
Website | |
@parksht |
⚠️ Please contact only via official channels. Avoid third-party agents or unofficial numbers.