Mumbai: upGrad, an integrated skilling and lifelong learning platform, has announced the appointment of Amitabh Kant—former G20 Sherpa of India, former CEO of NITI Aayog, and one of the country’s most respected reformers—to its Board of Directors as Independent Non-Executive Director.
His appointment comes as upGrad enters its next phase of growth, focusing on the national agenda of skilling and preparing the workforce across all ‘careers of tomorrow,’ ensuring job readiness while fostering entrepreneurship in India. upGrad’s international expansion will also benefit from Kant’s global exposure and experience.
Amitabh Kant, a veteran Indian Administrative Service officer (Kerala Cadre, 1980 batch), has led several transformative national missions, including Make in India, Startup India, Incredible India, and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. As India’s G20 Sherpa during its Presidency, he played a pivotal role in forging global consensus on critical economic and developmental priorities. During his tenure as CEO of NITI Aayog, he spearheaded initiatives in digital governance, sustainability, startup innovation, and public–private partnerships that shaped India’s reform agenda.
Commenting on his appointment, Amitabh Kant said, “I believe India needs new-age skilling, given our demographic advantage. We need two things; how to upskill our people quickly and how to collaborate with good companies—both of which upGrad is doing very well. They are increasing their association with private and public universities, as well as companies, to create a complete pipeline of talent for job readiness and entrepreneurship. This is what the government has been advocating, and I am glad to join the board of upGrad to further support them in this endeavour.”
Welcoming him to the Board, Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder & Chairperson, upGrad, added, “We are building upGrad with the same discipline and long-term mindset that India’s new growth story demands. Sustainable momentum, strong governance, and meaningful learner outcomes—not hyperbole—are what drive us. Amitabh has spent his career shaping some of India’s biggest transformational missions, and that perspective is invaluable as we deepen our global footprint and widen our impact. His independent rigor and strategic clarity are qualities we greatly value, and his presence signals that we are on the right track, building a profitable, globally relevant learning engine from India with deep roots and big ambition.”
Over the past two years, upGrad has strengthened its presence across international markets, serving enterprise clients in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the US, while forging partnerships with leading universities in the UK, Australia, Europe, and North America. The company has invested in multi-campus learner infrastructure, AI-led learning systems, and personalized smart content, supporting both global mobility and India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision of a highly skilled, future-ready workforce.
As upGrad moves into its next growth phase, the company is broadening its Board with seasoned, independent leaders who can anchor long-term strategy, reinforce governance, and guide multi-market operations. Amitabh Kant’s appointment strengthens upGrad’s capacity to contribute to India’s economic rise and meet the growing global demand for skilled talent.
