The much anticipated Forbes Annual Billionaire list for 2018 is out. Like every year, the list names and fames the wealthiest individuals in the world. Forbes has named a record 2,208 billionaires from 72 countries and territories including the first ever from Hungary and Zimbabwe. This elite and exclusive group is worth $9.1 trillion, up 18% since last year, mentions the Forbes report. The average net worth of the richest is a record $4.1 billion. The highest number of billionaires are from America. The US recorded 585 billionaires, followed by China with 373. India has the third highest number of billionaries in the world with 121 billionaires. Mukesh Ambani is the richest Indian/billionaire on the list and ranks 19th on the Forbes Billionaire List 2018.

Online retail giant Amazon founder billionaire Jeff Bezos secures the list’s top spot for the first time. He has also become the only person to appear in the Forbes ranks with a 12-figure fortune, details the report. According to Forbes, "Bezos’s fortune leapt more than $39 billion, the list’s biggest one-year gain ever. " Jeff Bezos has replaced Bill Gates as the richest person in the world and pushed Gates to number two spot.

Here are the names of the top 12 richest Indians from the Forbes Billionaire List 2018:

1. Mukesh Ambani

The 60-year-old Mukesh Ambani is the chairman and runs $51 billion (revenues) oil and gas giant Reliance Industries, among India's most valuable companies. Forbes has measured his net worth at $40.1 billion dollar which makes him the richest Indian on the list(again). He is ranked 19th on the global list.

2. Azim Premji 

Indian tech giant Azim Premji's $9 billion (revenue) Wipro is India's third-largest outsourcer. Forbes has measured his net worth at $ 18.8 billion, making him the second richest Indian on the list. He is ranked at 58th spot on the global list.

3. Laxmi Mittal

The steel tycoon serves as chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steelmaker. Forbes has measured his net worth at $ 18.5 billion, making him the third richest Indian on the list. He is ranked 62nd on the global list.

4. Shiv Nadar 

Indian IT pioneer Shiv Nadar co-founded HCL in a garage in 1976 to make calculators and microprocessors states Forbes. Forbes has measured his net worth at $ 14.6 billion, making him the fourth richest Indian on the list. He is ranked 98th on the global list.

5. Dilip Shanghvi 

The Sun pharma company is the world's fourth largest generics maker and India's most valuable pharma outfit with March 2017 revenues of $4.7 billion. Dilip Shanghvi built his company by some smart acquisitions. Forbes has measured his net worth at $ 12.8 billion, making him the fifth richest Indian on the list. His is ranked 115 on the list.

6. Kumar Mangalam Birla  

"Commodities king Kumar Birla is the fourth generation head of the storied, $41 billion (revenue) Aditya Birla Group. The group's interests span cement and aluminium to telecom and financial services," describes Forbes. Forbes has measured his net worth at $ 11.8 billion, making him the sixth richest Indian on the list. His global rank is 127.

The Forbes Billionaire list of 2018 yet again proves that the industrialists in India have great opportunity to maximise wealth. The fact that India ranks third on the list of billionaires in the world goes to prove the strong presence of business class in the country. However, India has only one billionaire below the age group of 40. This is one area where the government can contribute by providing budding entrepreneurs an opportunity by funding their ideas and projects. A vital sign of a rapidly progressing country is its youth having the required infrastructure to explore entrepreneurial spirit and challenges. The Indian state will have to do just that to ensure that India has more self-made billionaires who not only make billions but also provide job opportunities for labour force in the country resulting in inclusive growth and prosperity.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 07, 2018 07:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).