Nandan Nilekani Donates INR 315 Crores to IIT Bombay

Nandan Nilekani, the Co-Founder and Chairman of Infosys Ltd. and Founding Chairman of UIDAI, has donated INR 315 Crores ($38.5 Million) to his alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. This contribution comes after his previous grants of INR 85 Crores, bringing the total value of his support to INR 400 Crores. The funds will be utilized to enhance infrastructure, promote research in emerging areas of engineering and technology, and foster a deep tech startup ecosystem at IIT Bombay.

The official Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Nandan Nilekani and Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, the Director of IIT Bombay, in Bengaluru today. This substantial donation is a major step towards IIT Bombay's ambitious vision of becoming a global leader in imparting engineering and technology education.

Speaking about the donation, Nandan Nilekani said, “IIT-Bombay has been a cornerstone in my life, shaping my formative years and laying the foundation for my journey. As I celebrate 50 years of my association with this esteemed Institution, I am grateful to give forward and contribute to its future. This donation is more than just a financial contribution; it is a tribute to the place that has given me so much and a commitment to the students who will shape our world tomorrow.”

Nandan Nilekani's association with IIT Bombay dates back to 1973 when he pursued his Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. This donation marks the golden jubilee of his association with the Institute, highlighting the deep bond he continues to share with his alma mater. It is also one of the largest contributions ever made by an alumnus in India.

Throughout the past 50 years, Nilekani has remained connected with the IIT in various capacities. He served on the Board of the IIT Bombay Heritage Foundation from 1999 to 2009 and was a member of the Board of Governors from 2005 to 2011.

His initial contributions of INR 85 Crores played a significant role in constructing new hostels, co-financing the School of Information Technology, and establishing India's first university incubator, which boosted the Indian startup ecosystem. In recognition of his remarkable achievements, Nilekani was honoured with the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1999 and received an Honorary Doctorate in 2019 during the 57th convocation of IIT Bombay.

IIT Bombay has outlined a strategic plan for the next decade, which includes establishing centres of excellence in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, green energy, and quantum computing, as well as nurturing a thriving deep-tech startup ecosystem. The plan also aims to provide state-of-the-art research, living, and academic facilities to students and faculty.

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