Karsanbhai Patel
Founders

Karsanbhai Patel: Nirma Founder & Indian Business Icon

Karsanbhai Patel is the top brass behind the name of Nirma. An indian detergent brand that became popular over time. He is counted among the top Indian entrepreneurs in 2026. Karsanbhai was professionally a lab technician who established his own detergent brand in 1969. He gave the name of this brand, ‘Nirma’, after the name of his daughter. Since then, to now, he has led the indian market with quality and affordable products. His dedication and determination made him cross 4.9 billion dollars in 2021. Patel is not limited to who founded Nirma, but also, who extended their horizon to education. In his daughter’s name, he established ‘Nirma University,’ which is a private institute which is located in Ahmedabad

FieldDetails
Full NameKarsanbhai Khodidas Patel
Real NameKarsanbhai Patel
NicknameKarsanbhai
Date of Birth19 March 1945
Age (as of 2026)80 Years Old
BirthplaceRuppur, Patan, Gujarat
Zodiac SignCapricorn
NationalityIndian
ReligionHindu
ProfessionBusinessman, Industrialist
HometownAhmedabad, Gujarat
WeightNot Publicly Known
HeightNot Publicly Known
Hair ColorBlack
Eye ColorBlack
Father’s NameKhodidasbhai Patel
Mother’s NameNot Publicly Known
Marital StatusMarried
Wife NameNot Publicly Known
Net WorthEstimated $3.7 Billion
Social Media HandleNot Active

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Karsanbhai Patel Early Life

Karsanbhai was born on 19 March 1945 in a small village called Ruppur, which is located in Patan. It is a district in north Gujarat. In the initial days, his family depended on farming for a living since they belonged to a farming background. Their life was simple, and the source of money was limited. At some stage, they struggle due to financial crisis and other reasons, but they overcome all the obstacles. When Karsanbhai was young, he learned that the value of hard work, equanimity, determination, passion, and goal can give him what he lacks the most in life. This kind of initial understanding helped him in the future.

Karsanbhai Patel Age

Karsanbhai Patel Age

Karsanbhai Patel age is 80 years old. He is going to celebrate his 81st birthday on 19th March in 2026. Unlike other capitalist, he likes to celebrate this special day with his wife and children.

Karsanbhai Patel Education

Patel went to Gujarat University to fulfill his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. There, he completed a B.Sc. in Chemistry in 1966.

Karsanbhai Patel Career

Karsanbhai started his business journey in a very simple way. In 1969, he began making detergent powder at home. He packed it himself and sold it by riding a bicycle from house to house. His product was affordable and worked well, which made people trust it.

He named the detergent Nirma after his daughter, who passed away at a young age. Slowly, the brand became popular. With growing demand, he opened factories and expanded production. Over time, Karsanbhai Patel Nirma brand became one of the most trusted names in Indian households.

Karsanbhai Patel Challenges

The early years were not easy. Big companies already controlled the detergent market. Many people doubted whether a small brand could survive. But Patel stayed strong. He focused on good quality and low price. His belief and effort helped him overcome all challenges.

Karsanbhai Patel Family

Patel comes from a middle-class family. He leans towards keeping his personal life restricted. His daughter’s death profoundly stricken him, and he honored her memory through his brand. Karsanbhai Patel family contemplates his strong emotional roots and values.

Karsanbhai Patel Investments

Over the years, Patel invested in many industries. His investments come mainly in the growth of his own brands, such as chemicals, cements, cosmetics, etc. Moreover, he showed interest in building the roots of India’s education department by establishing Nirma University. He even invested in establishing new companies in his daughter’s name. All the companies/educational institutions and any other areas where he invested are mentioned in the table below:

Companies / Educational Institutions / OthersInformation
Nirma Consumer Care LimitedProvides Consumer Care Services
Nirma LimitedNow renamed as Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited, and the main base of the company
Nirma Cement LimitedLafarge India’s Cement in 2016Emami Cement bought in 2020 
Nirma Chemical Works LimitedProvide different chemical products like Soda Ash and Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB)
Nirma Industries LimitedManufactures personal care products
Nirma UniversityPrivate University located in Ahmedabad
SukraftAngel Investor in April 2020’s funding round

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Karsanbhai Patel Awards and Achievements

The Government of India applauded him with the Padma Shri Award in 2010. He also obtained the Udyog Ratna Award, which portrays his growth from a small-scale business to one of a large-scale business.

YearAwards and AchievementsDetails
1990Udyog Ratna AwardReceived from the Federation of Associations of Small Scale Industries of India (FASII)
2001Honorary DoctorateHonored by Florida Atlantic University for entrepreneurial accomplishments
2010Padma Shri AwardReceived award from the President of India
2019India’s Richest PersonForbes ranked him number 30 in this category
NirmaOne of the top-selling detergents in India
Outstanding Industrialist of the EightiesHonored by Gujarat Chamber of Commerce
Chairman of the Development Council for Oils, Soaps, and DetergentsHe served two times on this position

Karsanbhai Patel Net Worth

Karsanbhai Patel Net Worth

Karsanbhai Patel net worth is estimated to be around $3.7 billion. This wealth comes from his soap and detergent brands and companies, university, investments, brand collaborations, and ventures. Below is the latest and updated information regarding his wealth is shared in tabular form:

YearNet Worth
2016$1.6 Billion
2017$2.6 Billion
2018$3.6 Billion
2019$4.7 Billion
2020$3.1 Billion
2021$3.8 Billion
2022$3 Billion
2023$2.7 Billion
2024$4.99 Billion
2025$3.72 Billion
2026$3.76 Billion

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Karsanbhai Patel Social Media Presence

Even in 2026, Patel does not wish to use social media. He only wishes to keep himself away from the glare of publicity of the internet world. Since he is in his 80s, he prefers to live an ordinary life and provide affordable products as much as possible.

Karsanbhai Patel Interesting Facts

  • He prefers vegetarian food items.
  • He sold detergent by bicycle in the early days
  • The name Nirma is a commendation to his daughter
  • He bought a six-seater chopper in 2013.

FAQs

Q1. Who are Karsanbhai Patel children?

Ans. His children are Rakesh K. Patel and Nirupama Patel.

Q2. Is Karsanbhai Patel Instagram account available?

Ans. His Instagram account is not available because he is not active on any social media platforms

Q3. What is Karsanbhai Patel father name?

Ans. His father name is Khodidasbhai Patel.

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