Early Life and Education
Nandan Mohanrao Nilekani was born on June 2, 1955, in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. His parents, Durga and Mohan Rao Nilekani, were Konkani speakers. His father worked as a general manager of Mysore and Minerva Mills, and instilled in him Fabian Socialist ideals. Nilekani received his early education at Bishop Cotton Boys' School and St. Joseph's High School in Dharwad, Karnataka. He then pursued a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.
Rise to Success
Nilekani started his career at Patni Computer Systems in Mumbai in 1978. In 1981, he co-founded Infosys with N. R. Narayana Murthy and five others, which would become one of India's leading IT companies. He served as the CEO of Infosys from 2002 to 2007, driving the company's global expansion and growth. After stepping down as CEO, he became the co-chairman of the board.
Key Business Strategies
During his tenure as CEO, Nilekani focused on Infosys's growth and global expansion. He implemented strategic initiatives to strengthen the company's position in the IT services market. Nilekani was instrumental in establishing the Global Delivery Model, making Infosys the first Indian IT company to be listed on NASDAQ.
Philanthropy
Nandan Nilekani, along with his wife Rohini, has been actively involved in philanthropy. They have signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate a significant portion of their wealth to charitable causes. Nilekani has supported various initiatives, including education, through the EkStep Foundation, which focuses on improving literacy and numeracy among children. In 2023, he donated ₹315 crore to IIT Bombay. His philanthropic efforts have focused on water, governance, and education.
