Shashikant Ruia had co-founded metals-to-technology conglomerate Essar with his brother. He had started his career in 1965 under the guidance of his father Nand Kishore Ruia.

Shashikant Ruia co-founded Essar Group in 1969, transforming it from a construction firm into a global conglomerate with interests in energy, steel, telecommunications, and infrastructure.