Amitabh Kant, IAS, a former NITI Aayog CEO and a Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), has been appointed as the new Chairperson (Chancellor) of NIIT University (NU), Neemrana effective March 10, 2025. He succeeds K Kasturirangan.
During his tenure as CEO of NITI Aayog (2016–2022), Shri Kant spearheaded pioneering initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission, Aspirational Districts Programme, and the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence, shaping India’s growth and development agenda. He also played a pivotal role in launching flagship programmes such as Make in India, Startup India, and Ease of Doing Business reforms, all of which focus heavily on creating a skilled and empowered workforce. In addition, Shri Kant’s key role in India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 positioned the country as a critical voice in global economic discussions. His deep commitment to skilling, innovation, and administrative excellence aligns closely with NIIT University’s vision of developing tech-enabled, industry-ready professionals. Expressing his enthusiasm on taking over as Chairperson, Amitabh Kant said: “It is an honour to join NIIT University, an institution that has consistently pioneered industry-linked education and skilling. In today’s rapidly evolving economy, universities must play a central role in nurturing innovation and preparing youth for emerging opportunities. I look forward to working with the university to advance its mission of creating a new-age talent pool aligned with national and global priorities.”
With Kant at the helm, NIIT University looks forward to scaling new heights in cutting-edge education, skilling, and global collaborations, continuing its mission of nurturing leaders and innovators of tomorrow says a statement from the university.
