In a move that underlines its global ambitions, edtech unicorn upGrad has brought one of India’s most trusted policy voices to its board. Amitabh Kant—former G20 Sherpa and ex–NITI Aayog CEO—has joined the company as an Independent Non-Executive Director, marking a significant moment in the skilling major’s next phase of growth.
For upGrad, Kant’s arrival comes at a time when the company is doubling down on international markets and India’s fast-evolving skilling mandate. Known for steering large-scale national initiatives, Kant is expected to lend strategic direction, especially as the company builds stronger talent pipelines for emerging sectors.
Speaking about the country’s urgent need for “new-age skilling” at speed and scale, Kant noted that upGrad’s deep collaborations with universities and enterprises offer a strong foundation for job readiness and entrepreneurship pathways.
Co-founder and chairperson Ronnie Screwvala said Kant’s decades-long experience in governance and economic transformation will add tremendous value as upGrad sharpens its long-term roadmap.
Over the last two years, upGrad has expanded across the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America—strengthening university partnerships and investing in AI-led learning, multi-campus infrastructure, and personalised content delivery.
The company has also been consciously broadening its board with seasoned independent leaders to bolster governance and global operations. Recently, it appointed Deepesh Dhakad as Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO).
Financially, upGrad posted a turnaround in FY25 with an EBITDA profit of ₹15 crore, a sharp improvement from an EBITDA loss of ₹285 crore in FY24, according to data from TheKredible. Its gross revenue stood at ₹1,943 crore for the fiscal.
-By Muskan Dengra
