If you search for the top podcasters in India or famous podcasters in India, you usually get a list with one big number and no date. We went through 2026 articles and the Spotify Wrapped 2025 India charts, and we kept only figures that trace back to a link. Below you will find what those sources say about Hindi and English shows, and why a show can top Spotify without topping YouTube.
We run Oskillo Studio, a podcast studio in Jaipur (Vaishali Nagar), so we look at these shows as people who set up cameras and mics for a living. Our own show appears in a separate, clearly labelled section later in the post. It is not part of any ranking.
Key takeaways
- No single “No. 1 podcaster” exists. The answer changes with the platform and the date.
- On YouTube, 2026 lists put Raj Shamani first and The Ranveer Show second at 11.3M subscribers.
- Spotify Wrapped 2025 India is the latest verified annual ranking we found. Horror, true crime and self-help stayed popular.
- Hindi and Hinglish shows such as Bharti TV, Shekhar Tonite and Unfiltered by Samdish keep appearing in recent lists.
- Subscriber counts differ between publications, so each figure below carries its source.
Who are the top podcasters in India on YouTube in 2026?
By YouTube subscribers, Raj Shamani leads the 2026 lists we checked, followed by Ranveer Allahbadia’s The Ranveer Show at 11.3M. Counts differ slightly between publications, so we show two sources side by side. Treat every figure as a snapshot, not a permanent ranking.
| Podcaster / show | Startuppedia (2026) | Grynow (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Raj Shamani | 19.7M | 18.5M |
| Ranveer Allahbadia (The Ranveer Show) | 11.3M | 11.3M |
| Bharti Singh (Bharti TV) | 4.13M | 4.11M |
| Gunjan Taneja (Gunjan Shouts) | 3.11M | Not listed |
| Prakhar Gupta | 2.84M | Not listed |
| Nikhil Kamath | Not listed | 2.31M |
Sources: Startuppedia and Grynow. We did not read the channel pages directly, so open the live page for today’s number.
As reported by Startuppedia in 2026, Raj Shamani’s channel has 19.7M subscribers, while Grynow lists 18.5M. That gap is a good reminder that these are secondary counts taken on different days. If you compare Indian podcasts on YouTube by subscribers, always note the source and the month.
What makes the top two stand out?
Raj Shamani’s Figuring Out has featured Bill Gates, Emmanuel Macron, Aamir Khan, MS Dhoni and Vijay Mallya, according to a Trailblazers newsletter interview. Ranveer Allahbadia received the National Creators Award in the Disruptor category from PM Modi, as reported by Storyboard18. Big-name guests and wide recognition are part of why these two channels get so much attention.
Which podcasts are most streamed on Spotify India?
Spotify Wrapped 2025 India put Figuring Out with Raj Shamani at number one, ahead of The Horror Show by Khooni Monday and The Desi Crime Podcast. It is the latest verified annual ranking we found. We could not find a verified Spotify India chart for the first three quarters of 2026.
Here is the full Wrapped 2025 India top ten for podcasts, as listed by Oneindia:
- Figuring Out with Raj Shamani
- The Horror Show by Khooni Monday
- The Desi Crime Podcast
- The Ranveer Show (Hindi)
- The Stories of Mahabharata
- The Ranveer Show
- Horror Time – Scary Stories in Hindi
- SR PAY
- Pretkotha (Bengali)
- Moment of Silence
Spotify also said that horror, true crime and self-help podcasts stayed popular in India in 2025, as The Bridge Chronicle reports. If you are looking for the best Indian podcasts of 2026 or the best Hindi podcasts on Spotify, this Wrapped 2025 list is a solid first stop because it is the latest verified ranking. Notice that the Ranveer Show appears twice, once in Hindi and once in its main version.
Who are the top Hindi podcasters in India?
Among Hindi and Hinglish shows, the names that keep appearing are The Ranveer Show (Hindi), Bharti TV, Shekhar Tonite, Unfiltered by Samdish and the Anurag Minus Verma Podcast. Prakhar Gupta’s show is bilingual. Rankings differ by platform, so use these as starting points rather than a strict top ten.
- Bharti TV: described by Grynow as a Hindi-language podcast channel, with 4.11M to 4.13M subscribers depending on the source above.
- Shekhar Tonite, Unfiltered by Samdish (launched 2022) and the Anurag Minus Verma Podcast: named as Hindi and Hinglish picks by The Established in 2026.
- The Prakhar Gupta Xperience: described as bilingual (Hindi and English) by Masala Thai, which also recommends The Ranveer Show, WTF is with Nikhil Kamath and Desi Crime Podcast.
- Horror Time – Scary Stories in Hindi: number seven on Wrapped 2025 India, and a useful pointer if you search for true crime and horror podcasts in Hindi.
We have kept this section to shows that a published source names. We would rather leave out a famous name than guess at a number for it. For business podcasts in India, Grynow’s 2026 list includes Nikhil Kamath’s channel at 2.31M subscribers.
Why do YouTube and Spotify rankings look so different?
YouTube ranks shows by subscribers and views, which favour video and big guests. Spotify ranks by streams, which favour audio you can play while commuting or falling asleep. That is why Figuring Out with Raj Shamani and The Ranveer Show appear on both, while horror and true-crime shows rank high mainly on audio.
| Platform | What the chart measures | Which shows tend to rise |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Subscribers, views, watch time | Guest-led interviews, big personalities |
| Spotify | Streams and listening hours | Horror, true crime, self-help, storytelling |
Video is also reaching Spotify. Variety reports that in the US, 24 of Spotify’s top 50 podcasts had video in 2025. That is US data, not India, but it shows the two worlds are moving closer.
So when you read any “top podcasters in India” list, ask two things. Which platform, and which month? Without both, the number tells you very little.
What does a podcast people actually watch need?
A video podcast people keep watching needs clean sound first, then steady lighting, at least two camera angles and a tight edit. Viewers forgive a plain set, but they leave quickly when the audio echoes or the picture is flat. Most of this is set-up, not budget.
- Sound control. A quiet, acoustically treated room matters more than an expensive mic. A dynamic mic such as the Shure SM7B also helps keep room noise down.
- Two or more camera angles. A wide shot plus a close shot lets you cut during long answers. A body like the Sony A7 IV records 4K and handles low light well.
- Soft, even light. Harsh light makes guests look tired on camera.
- Editing time. A 60-minute chat usually needs a full edit, a short highlight and a few vertical clips.
- Clip strategy. Reels and Shorts bring new viewers to the long episode.
YTMahendra Podcast: our own Jaipur show
YTMahendra Podcast is our own show, not part of any ranking above. It is based in Jaipur and was founded in 2024. The host is Mahendra Kumar, who is also the founder of Oskillo Studio, and the show is recorded at Oskillo.
YourStory’s company profile covers its Jaipur base and 2024 start. You can watch it on its YouTube channel. We are not quoting a subscriber count here, because the live page will always be more accurate than anything we print.
We mention it because it shows a show from a Tier-2 city like Jaipur can be recorded in a proper studio, with multiple cameras, professional mics and a themed set.
How do you start a podcast of your own?
To start a podcast in India, pick one clear topic, write ten episode ideas, record a test episode and fix the sound before you publish. You do not need to buy gear on day one. Renting a studio lets you test your format first.
How Oskillo Studio helps you start
At Oskillo Studio in Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur, we guide beginners through four steps: concept and strategy, pre-production (question flow, set choice, mic, light and camera checks), production in 4K multicam with live monitoring, and post-production with edit, colour, audio mastering, thumbnails, captions and reels. We have seven themed sets, including the Blue Theme, a classic wooden library, a grey vintage set and an Ultra Luxury set, and the founders are present at every shoot to guide you.
Oskillo Studio charges Rs 4,000 per hour for the Economy Advance pack, which includes two Sony 4K cameras, a Shure mic, an audio recorder, lights and a technician. The Economy Basic pack is Rs 2,000 per hour for space and basic lights only. You can see every option on our podcast studio pricing in Jaipur page, or read about studio rental.
If you live outside Jaipur, we also edit podcasts remotely. Our Complete Podcast Edit is Rs 10,000 and covers the main edit, a highlight, three reels with covers and two thumbnails. Message us on WhatsApp and tell us your topic. We will suggest a set and a plan.
Some product links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, YTMahendra Podcast earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the No. 1 podcaster in India?
It depends on the platform and the date. On the 2026 YouTube lists we checked, Raj Shamani has the most subscribers. On Spotify Wrapped 2025 India, Figuring Out with Raj Shamani was also number one. Always name the platform and month when you quote a ranking.
Who is the top Hindi podcaster in India?
No single verified Hindi ranking exists. Names that appear often in 2026 lists include The Ranveer Show (Hindi), Bharti TV, Shekhar Tonite, Unfiltered by Samdish and the Anurag Minus Verma Podcast. Pick by topic and style, because subscriber counts alone do not decide quality.
Which podcast is number one on Spotify India?
In Spotify Wrapped 2025 India, Figuring Out with Raj Shamani was the most-streamed podcast, followed by The Horror Show by Khooni Monday and The Desi Crime Podcast. This is the latest verified annual ranking we found. We did not find a verified Spotify India chart for early 2026.
What is the most-watched podcast on YouTube in India?
By subscribers, Raj Shamani’s channel leads the 2026 lists we reviewed, at 19.7M per Startuppedia and 18.5M per Grynow. Subscribers are not the same as views, so check recent video views on the channel page before calling any show the most watched.
Who is the highest-paid podcaster in India?
We do not name one. The earnings and net worth figures we found online were estimates from unreliable sources, not disclosed income. Sponsorship and ad income also varies by month, so any single number would be a guess rather than a fact.
How many people listen to podcasts in India?
We do not quote a listener count, because the figures we found had no clear source. For a trustworthy number, look for reports published directly by Spotify, YouTube or a named research firm, and check the year before you use it.
Hindi podcast kaise start karein?
Pick one clear topic, write a question flow, and record in a quiet room with a proper mic and at least one camera. Edit with clean audio and a thumbnail. Oskillo Studio in Jaipur offers Advance packs at Rs 4,000 per hour with cameras, mic, lights and a technician.
Book your session at Oskillo Studio
Soundproof sets, 2 Sony 4K cameras, Shure mics and an on-site technician in Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur. Studio rent starts at Rs 2,000 per hour.
WhatsApp +91 96101 80066 | See all prices | 3rd Floor, VR Theme Park, Gandhi Path, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur
