Bengaluru, India — As business evolves globally, so does the literature that guides its leaders. In 2025, Indian authors are offering fresh, relevant perspectives that speak both locally and internationally. Here are five standout business books published this year (or in their latest editions) by Indian authors that deserve a place on your shelf.

These works reflect India’s unique entrepreneurial landscape while providing universal lessons on leadership-in-elite-sports-management/” class=”ca-internal-link”>leadership, strategy, and growth.

1. India Business Guide — Startup to Set-up

Author: Vinay Vaish
Publisher: Commercial Law Publishers (1st Edition, September 2025)

Vinay Vaish, a seasoned corporate-law practitioner, provides an essential handbook on navigating the legal, regulatory, and strategic dimensions of launching and scaling a business in India. For entrepreneurs and professionals, this guide offers a clear roadmap — from company formation and FDI compliance to taxation and governance frameworks.

Why it matters: It translates complex Indian business regulations into accessible insight, lowering barriers for both domestic entrepreneurs and international investors exploring India’s fast-growing market.

2. The Little Book of Indian Business

Author: Anonymous (Indian edition, 2025)

An accessible introduction to India’s dynamic business culture, this compact volume distills the essence of entrepreneurship, innovation, and corporate behaviour in the country. It explores the evolution of family enterprises, digital disruption, and the changing face of Indian leadership.

Why it matters: Ideal for business leaders and global professionals seeking to understand India’s unique mix of tradition, innovation, and opportunity.

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Why it matters: Ideal for business leaders and global professionals seeking to understand India’s unique mix of tradition, innovation, and opportunity.

3. The Concise Oxford History of Indian Business

Publisher: Oxford University Press (Revised Edition, 2025)

This academic-to-practitioner volume traces India’s commercial evolution — from colonial trade to modern digital enterprise — offering a deep historical lens on the economic forces shaping today’s corporate landscape.

Why it matters: It helps leaders understand the structural and cultural factors influencing business behaviour in India, improving their ability to plan, partner, and lead effectively within the region.

4. Business Sutra: A Very Indian Approach to Management

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Devdutt Pattanaik’s landmark work blends Indian philosophy and mythology with modern management principles. Drawing from timeless stories, he shows how context, culture, and belief systems shape leadership and decision-making — offering a framework that feels distinctly Indian yet globally relevant.

Why it matters: In a world that prizes authenticity and cross-cultural intelligence, this book bridges Western management frameworks with India’s deeply humanistic approach to work and leadership.

Why it matters: It reminds modern leaders that success is built not only on efficiency and ambition but also on wisdom, ethics, and foresight — timeless values essential in today’s volatile business world.

5. Corporate Chanakya

Author: Radhakrishnan Pillai

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Inspired by the teachings of ancient strategist Chanakya, this enduring bestseller distills his principles into actionable corporate wisdom. With guidance on leadership, strategy, and ethics, it continues to resonate with managers and entrepreneurs in 2025 and beyond.

Why it matters: It reminds modern leaders that success is built not only on efficiency and ambition but also on wisdom, ethics, and foresight — timeless values essential in today’s volatile business world.

Why this list matters in 2025

India is emerging as a key player in the global economy — not just as a market, but as a hub of innovation and leadership. The business literature produced here is increasingly global in scope, yet rooted in the country’s cultural and strategic depth. These five books combine practical strategy, cultural insight, historical context, and leadership mindset — making them indispensable reads for professionals worldwide.

Editorial Selection Criteria

• Authored by Indian writers or focused on the Indian business environment.

• Published or updated for 2025 to reflect current trends.

• Offer lessons relevant to real-world business, leadership, or entrepreneurship.

• Blend practical guidance with long-term perspective.

  Leaders and Managers: “Business Sutra” and “Corporate Chanakya” reveal how ancient and cultural wisdom can inform modern leadership.

How to Use This List

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  Entrepreneurs: “India Business Guide — Startup to Set-up” is a practical roadmap for launching and expanding ventures.

• Leaders and Managers: “Business Sutra” and “Corporate Chanakya” reveal how ancient and cultural wisdom can inform modern leadership.

• Global Professionals: “The Little Book of Indian Business” and “Concise Oxford History” provide essential context for collaborating with Indian enterprises.

• Lifelong Learners: Use this list to deepen both your strategic thinking and cultural fluency.

As you chart your professional path through 2025 and beyond, these books offer more than ideas — they offer perspective. Together, they form a bridge between timeless principles and today’s fast-changing realities. The voices of Indian authors are reshaping global business thinking, and their insights deserve your attention.