upGrad has announced that Amitabh Kant has joined its board of directors as an independent non-executive director.

Kant, who was the former CEO of the Government of India's NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog, joins the edtech company ahead of it looking to push to more international territories. 

With the Government, Kant has worked on 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 an international role in forging global consensus across critical economic and developmental priorities. 

Ronnie Screwvala, co-founder and Chairperson, upGrad, said, “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.”

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.”