Famous Alumni from the Indian Institutes of Technology
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are renowned for producing some of the world's most brilliant engineers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. These prestigious institutions offer top-tier education in various engineering disciplines, and their alumni continue to make significant contributions to the global tech industry and beyond. Here are some notable figures who have emerged from the IITs.
Sundar Pichai
Sundar Pichai is the current Senior Vice President of Google. He pursued his academic journey at IIT Kharagpur, where he earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Metallurgical Engineering. After completing his education, Pichai went on to further his studies with an M.S. from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Known for his contributions to the launch of the Chrome web browser, Pichai's journey from IIT Kharagpur to Google showcases the nurturing environment of these institutions.
N.R. Narayana Murthy
N.R. Narayana Murthy is a co-founder and former Chairman of the global software company, Infosys. He received his electrical engineering degree from IIT Kanpur. In 1981, Murthy, along with co-founder N.V. Paul, co-founded Infosys, which has since emerged as a leading provider of business technology and engineering services worldwide. His journey from an IIT to an internationally renowned CEO reflects the quality of education provided by these institutions.
Sachin Bansal
Sachin Bansal, an alumnus of IIT Delhi, co-founded Flipkart, one of India's leading online retail platforms. With the help of his college friend Binny Bansal, he launched the company in 2007. Starting with a mere Rs. 4 lakh and growing to become a household name, Sachin's success story underscores the entrepreneurial spirit fostered at IIT Delhi.
Vinod Khosla
Vinod Khosla, a co-founder of Sun Microsystems, which played a pivotal role in creating Java programming and NFS (Network File System), holds a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi. His ventures include forming Khosla Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm. His journey from IIT to founding a major tech company demonstrates the remarkable talent that these institutions cultivate.
Amit Singhal
Amit Singhal was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Science and Technology at the Asian Awards in 2011. He is an alumnus of IIT Roorkee. As a Senior Vice President at Google, Singhal's role in redefining Google in 2001 and his recognition as a "Google Fellow" highlight the impact of IIT alumni on the tech industry.
Chetan Bhagat
Chetan Bhagat is an acclaimed Indian author, known for his best-selling novels about the urban middle class in India. Although he is not an alumnus of an IIT, his IIT-Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad degrees show the diverse backgrounds that these institutions can provide. His works such as 'Five Point Someone' and 'One Night at the Call Center' have gained immense popularity and have become cultural touchstones.
Manohar Parrikar
Manohar Parrikar, a notable politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party, served as the first IIT graduate to become the Chief Minister of Goa. He studied metallurgical engineering at IIT Mumbai. His political career spans multiple positions, including Defence Minister under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His academic background from IIT Mumbai is a testament to its influence in shaping future leaders.
Raghuram Rajan
Raghuram Rajan, an Indian economist, served as the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 2013 to 2016. After completing his bachelor's degree in Mechanical engineering from IIT Delhi, Rajan's career in academia and policy-making reflects the rigorous education and practical skills nurtured at IITs. His contributions to the global economy and governance further highlight the impact of such institutions.
Deepinder Goyal
Deepinder Goyal, the Founder and CEO of Zomato, pursued a Mathematics and Computing degree from IIT Delhi. His entrepreneurial journey from a small apartment to becoming a leading food delivery platform reflects the practical and innovative mindset fostered by IITs. Goyal's success story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and engineers.
These individuals, along with countless others from the IIT alumni community, have made significant contributions to the fields of engineering, technology, business, and more. Their stories are a testament to the value and impact of a quality education from the Indian Institutes of Technology.