20 most influential companies in India

While there are many big companies in India, both multinational and national, not all can be called influential or thought leaders.

A research conducted for London-based consultancy TLG Partners by Nielsen ranks 20 most successful business Thought Leaders in India.

Let's have a look at these companies.

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Tata

Rank in 2013: 1

Rank in 2011: 2

Tata group comprises over 100 operating companies in seven business sectors: communications and information technology, engineering, materials, services, energy, consumer products and chemicals.

The group has operations in more than 80 countries across six continents, and its companies export products and services to 85 countries.

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Google

Rank in 2013: 2

Rank in 2011: 3

Google, a California-based company, is well-known for its search engine, online advertising and software products.

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Maruti Suzuki

Rank in 2013: 3

Rank in 2011: 4

Maruti Suzuki India Limited is a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan. Maruti Suzuki is a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles in India. Lovingly referred to as the people's car maker; over the past three decades Maruti Suzuki has changed the way people in India commute and travel.

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Apple

Rank in 2013: 4

Rank in 2011: Not in Top 20

Apple, a California-based company, is famous for its iMac computers, tablets, smartphones and music player.

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Delhi Metro

Rank in 2013: 5

Rank in 2011: Not in Top 20

The unique feature of Delhi Metro is its integration with other modes of public transport, enabling commuters to conveniently interchange from one mode to another. To increase ridership of Delhi Metro, feeder buses for metro stations are operated.

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State Bank of India

Rank in 2013: 6

Rank in 2011: 7

The origin of the State Bank of India goes back to the first decade of the 19th century with the establishment of the Bank of Calcutta in Calcutta on June 2, 1806. Three years later the bank received its charter and was re-designed as the Bank of Bengal.

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Life Insurance Corporation of India

Rank in 2013: 7

Rank in 2011: 12

Life insurance in its modern form came to India from England in the year 1818. Oriental Life Insurance Company started by Europeans in Calcutta was the first life insurance company on the Indian soil.

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Infosys

Rank in 2013: 8

Rank in 2011: 1

An entrepreneurial adventure that began with seven engineers and $250, Infosys is now a publicly traded company driven by 150,000+ relentless innovators and annual revenues of more than $7 billion.

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Facebook

Rank in 2013: 9

Rank in 2011: 8

Facebook, a California-based company, is world's biggest social networking website.

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Mahindra & Mahindra

Rank in 2013: 10

Rank in 2011: 10

Founded in 1945 as a steel trading company, it entered automotive manufacturing in 1947 to bring the iconic Willys Jeep onto Indian roads. Over the years, it has diversified into many new businesses in order to better meet the needs of its customers.

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Wipro

Rank in 2013: 11

Rank in 2011: Not in Top 20

Wipro is a global information technology, consulting and outsourcing company with 145,000 employees serving over 900 clients in 54 countries. The company posted revenues of $7.95 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2013.

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Hindustan Unilever

Rank in 2013: 12

Rank in 2011: 9

With over 35 brands spanning 20 distinct categories such as soaps, detergents, shampoos, skin care, toothpastes, deodorants, cosmetics, tea, coffee, packaged foods, ice cream, and water purifiers, the company is a part of the everyday life of millions of consumers across India.

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IBM

Rank in 2013: 13

Rank in 2011: Not in Top 20

IBM has been expanding its footprint in India - and has a presence in over 200 cities and towns across the country - either directly or through its strong business partner network.

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Larsen & Toubro

Rank in 2013: 14

Rank in 2011: 5

Larsen & Toubro is a technology, engineering, construction and manufacturing company. It is one of the largest and most respected companies in India's private sector.

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Ranbaxy

Rank in 2013: 15

Rank in 2011: 19

Ranbaxy Laboratories is a research-based international pharmaceutical company serving customers in over 150 countries.

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HDFC Bank

Rank in 2013: 16

Rank in 2011: 17

HDFC Bank was incorporated in August 1994 and currently has an nationwide network of 3,062 Branches and 10,743 ATM's in 1,568 Indian towns and cities.

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Aditya Birla Group

Rank in 2013: 17

Rank in 2011: 15

A $40 billion corporation, it is anchored by over 136,000 employees, belonging to 42 different nationalities.

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ICICI Bank

Rank in 2013: 18

Rank in 2011: Not in Top 20

ICICI Bank is India's second-largest bank with total assets of $93 billion at March 31, 2012, and profit after tax $1,271 million for the year ended March 31, 2012.

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Vodafone

Rank in 2013: 19

Rank in 2011: Not in Top 20

Vodafone, a London-based company, is second-largest mobile telecom firm in the world.

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Indigo

Rank in 2013: 20

Rank in 2011: Not in Top 20

Indigo, a low-cost carrier, is India's largest airline by market share.