Suresh Balakrishnan

Director - Novo Insurance Broking Services Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Suresh Balakrishnan is working as an independent Risk Management and Risk Transfer Advisor. He has been a specialist broker for Liability and High Value Risks. He serves as guest faculty at the National Insurance Academy, Pune on Liability Insurance and at the College Of Insurance , Mumbai. His expertise includes Largest Directors and Officers Liability Insurance and POSI insurance of its time ; single project professional indemnity policies including ports, airports and metro rail up to 12 year policy periods; FI, Construction and Technology domains. He is a pioneer in the field of Cyber Security Risk Modelling and Quantification and D&O Liability Risk Quantification. Managing US SEC risk exposure through insurance products is a domain expertise built over the last 25 years. In the current environment of difficulty in getting Liability insurance claims especially in D&O insurance arming Directors and Officers with the nuances of insurance claims is his passion.

Rajneesh Bansal

Joint President - Procurement & Supply Chain, AWL Agri Business Limited

Mr. Rajneesh Bansal is the Head - Procurement and Supply Chain of AWL Agri Business Limited. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical) from Karnatak University, Dharwad and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. Further, he has completed a post graduate diploma in management from Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode. He joined AWL Agre Business Ltd. with effect from May 31, 2004. He has over 25 years of experience in various fields including business development and corporate communication, agriculture and FMCG sector. Prior to joining our Company, he worked at Adani Port Limited and Indian Space Research Organisation.

Loknath Behera, IPS (Retd.)

Managing Director - Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. (KMRL)
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Govt. of India

Mr. Loknath Behera, IPS (Retd.) is a 1985-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Kerala cadre with over three decades of distinguished experience in policing, investigation, internal security and public administration. He served as Director General of Police and State Police Chief, Kerala, retiring in June 2021. During his career, he held several key positions in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and was among the founding members of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), where he handled specialised assignments relating to terror financing and counterfeit currency. He also served as Commissioner of Police, Kochi City, and Director General, Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, contributing to major investigations and counter-terrorism initiatives. Since 2021, Mr. Behera has served as Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited and subsequently also as Managing Director of Kochi Water Metro Limited, contributing to the development of modern, technology-enabled urban mobility in Kochi. His areas of expertise include policing, security, investigation, technology, public administration and urban transportation. He is a recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, awarded in 2009.

Rupinder Brar, IRS

Additional Secretary - Ministry of Coal, Govt. of India

Ms. Rupinder Brar is a 1990 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the National University of Singapore and is an alumna of Hindu College, University of Delhi. With over three decades of distinguished service in the Government of India, she has held several senior leadership positions across taxation, public policy, tourism, and the coal sector. Prior to her current assignment, she served as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in Mumbai and Delhi, handling complex matters relating to domestic and international taxation. From July 2019 to June 2022, she served as Additional Director General (Tourism) in the Ministry of Tourism, where she played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and driving innovative promotional initiatives, including the widely recognized “Dekho Apna Desh” campaign, which significantly strengthened domestic tourism promotion and stakeholder engagement. Since November 2023, Ms. Brar has been serving as Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority (Coal) in the Ministry of Coal. She has led reforms to make the coal sector more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly through competitive auctions, faster operationalization of coal blocks, improved Centre–State coordination, and streamlined procedures.

Dr. Subi Chaturvedi

Global SVP, Chief Corporate Affairs & Public Policy Officer, InMobi

Dr. Subi Chaturvedi is Global Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs & Public Policy Officer at InMobi Group, India’s first unicorn and a global technology multinational operating across 26 countries. She is a distinguished leader in digital economy, public policy, corporate affairs, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and global internet governance, with over two decades of experience working with governments, multinational corporations, international organisations, and multilateral institutions. She currently serves on the Governing Board of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and chairs the Joint Indo-US Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, the USIBC Digital Economy Committee, the FICCI Committee on Women in Technology, Policy & Leadership, and the ASSOCHAM National Council on Cyber Security & Cyber Law. She also serves as Sherpa for WG7 of the US-India CEO Forum, focusing on inclusive growth, entrepreneurship, startups, and MSMEs. Dr. Chaturvedi has previously served as a member of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) and as Global Co-Chair of the NetMundial Initiative, playing a leading role in shaping global internet governance and digital policy. She has contributed to bilateral negotiations resulting in ICT, digital, financial, and health sector collaborations exceeding USD 100 million.

Rishi Chawla

Vice President - Corporate Affairs, Carlsberg India

Mr. Rishi Chawla is currently Vice – President Corporate Affairs (Sustainability, Communications, CSR & Public Affairs) at Carlsberg India Limited. Carlsberg is a European Beverages company with Pan India presence. He is also the elected Vice President-North for United Nations Global Compact, UNGCNI and Delhi Chapter Chair for European Business Group (EBG) Federation, India. Rishi also represents the governing council of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI). He has 26+ years of experience in companies like Philips, Samsung, IBM, Vodafone, Cable & Wireless, Indiatimes, Data Access in various capacities.

Jaya Choraria

Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia, British High Commission, New Delhi

Ms. Jaya Choraria is the UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia based in the British High Commission New Delhi. She champions UK trade and exports into India and ensures that businesses can reap the maximum benefits of the UK-India FTA. Ms. Choraria brings a track record of 20 years working in the UK Government across HM Treasury, DBT and FCDO. She has previously held the role of HM Deputy Trade Commissioner for Africa, based in Addis Ababa. Earlier in her career, she established the trade negotiations unit at HM Treasury and served as the financial services negotiator in FTA talks with Australia, CTPPP and India. She also served at the British Embassy in Kabul and the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels. She holds an MSc in Economics (Distinction) from the London School of Economics and a BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University.

Devesh Deval, IAS

Joint Secretary - Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India

Mr. Devesh Deval is an IAS officer of 2004 batch Manipur cadre. He is currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GoI. He is leading the creation of micro food enterprises ecosystem in the country and dealing with food industry policy matters. Earlier, he served as Director in the Ministry of Health and led reforms in medical education and tobacco control. He had held senior positions in Manipur Government at State and district level including in Home, Health, Tourism, Planning, PHED and Revenue departments.

Dr. Angelo George

Chief Executive Officer - Bisleri International

Dr. Angelo George, CEO of Bisleri International, brings over three decades of leadership experience from renowned organisations including Hindustan Unilever, EID Parry, and Dabur India. A transformational leader known for his market insight, innovation, and brand-building expertise, he has driven Bisleri’s record growth, refreshed its brand image, strengthened market leadership, and expanded globally with entry into the UAE. Deeply committed to sustainability, Angelo has positioned Bisleri as an industry pioneer—one of India’s first companies to achieve plastic-neutral and water-positive status, recycling more plastic than it uses and replenishing more water than it extracts. Under his stewardship, initiatives such as Responsible Use of Plastic and Water Credits have set new benchmarks for corporate responsibility. An alumnus of Madras Christian College and Bangalore University, he has also attended Advanced Management Programs at ISB Hyderabad and the Kellogg School of Management, Chicago. Beyond his corporate role, he serves as an Independent Director, an executive member of CII and ICC committees on Water and Food Processing, and as an Honorary Professor mentoring future leaders. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors and was honoured at The Economic Times CEO Conclave as one of the ‘Inspiring CEOs’

Nitin Gupta, IRS (Retd.)

Chairperson - National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)

Mr. Nitin Gupta is the Chairperson of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), having assumed office on 23 July 2025. A 1986 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax), he previously served as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) from June 2022 to June 2024. With over 39 years of distinguished service in the Government of India, Mr. Gupta has extensive experience in tax administration, compliance reforms, data analytics, financial governance, and regulatory policy. Throughout his career, he has been widely recognized for leading transformative administrative and technological reforms. As Chairman, CBDT, he played a pivotal role in advancing faceless assessments, taxpayer services, automation, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics to enhance transparency, compliance, and ease of doing business. He also led initiatives involving pre-filled tax returns, computer-assisted scrutiny, and integrated financial data across GST, securities, and real estate systems, contributing significantly to stronger tax administration and sustained revenue growth. Mr. Gupta also served as Member (Investigation), CBDT, overseeing major investigations into financial irregularities and tax evasion, and held the position of Director General at the Competition Commission of India, where he contributed to competition regulation and policy enforcement.

Rahul Himalian

Chairman & Managing Director - Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC)

Mr. Rahul Himalian has assumed the additional charge of Chairman & Managing Director of IRCTC Limited, a Schedule 'A' Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways. Sh. Himalian has already been serving as Director (Tourism & Marketing) in IRCTC since 16th February 2024. A senior and distinguished officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) from the 1999 examination batch, Shri Rahul Himalian has over 26 years of rich and diverse experience in the Indian Railways and IRCTC. In his capacity as Director (Tourism & Marketing), he has been providing leadership to key departments including Tourism, Information Technology, Human Resource Development, Infrastructure, Administration and Rajbhasha. Mr. Himalian has an outstanding academic record. He was the Head Boy and Best Student at The Lawrence School. He graduated in Electrical Engineering with a Gold Medal from NIT Hamirpur and completed his post-graduation in Engineering from IIT Delhi, securing a perfect CGPA of 10.00. He was also awarded the prestigious President's Gold Medal for being the Best All-Round Student. With the assumption of the additional charge of Chairman & Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Himalian is leading the overall operations and strategic direction of IRCTC while continuing to discharge his responsibilities as Director (Tourism & Marketing).

Vijay Karia

Chairman and Managing Director - Ravin Group of Companies, India

Mr. Vijay Karia, is the Chairman and MD of Ravin Group of Companies. Ravin group is a leading player in Indian power and energy. He has been Chairman of the Cable Division of IEEMA. As Chairman and Managing Director of Ravin Group, he has been instrumental in leading the electrical cable segment in many ways by launching new and improved products from time to time, and has been a pioneer and largest exporter of cables from India. His is the first Indian cable manufacturing company to set up its manufacturing facility overseas in UAE. He was recently awarded as India's Most Inspiring Entrepreneur by the Economic Times, and is considered as one among the top 50 Entrepreneurs by ET today.

Amit Kumar

CMD - AI Assets Holding Ltd. (AIAHL)
Chairman - AI Engineering Services Ltd. (AIESL)

Mr. Amit Kumar is presently serving as Chairman & Managing Director of Al Asset Holdings Ltd. (AIAHL) and also holds the position of Chairman of Al Engineering Services Ltd., Al Airport Services Ltd., Alliance Air, and Hotel Corporation of India. An alumnus of IIT Roorkee (B.E. Electrical Engineering) and IIM Lucknow (Executive Management), Mr. Kumar brings with him a rich blend of technical expertise and leadership acumen. Prior to his current role, he had an illustrious career of nearly 34 years with ONGC, where he gained extensive experience across upstream offshore and onshore operations. His portfolio covered a wide spectrum including capital project execution, ERP implementation, R&D, HSE, risk and asset management. Mr. Kumar has presented numerous papers at national and international forums on subjects such as ERP, energy transition, safety, power generation, and control systems for upstream process facilities. He has also played a key role in reframing several statutes and Acts pertaining to labour management, oilfield exploration and mine safety.

Dr. Suman Kumar Jha

Corporate Quality and Regulatory Head, Patanjali Group of Companies

Dr. Suman Kumar Jha is a distinguished corporate leader with over three decades of experience across the Food, AYUSH Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, and Herbal Cosmetics sectors, with expertise in Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing Excellence, Corporate Governance, and Business Transformation. He currently serves as Corporate Quality and Regulatory Head, Patanjali Group of Companies, where he leads enterprise-wide quality and regulatory strategy across diverse business verticals. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening manufacturing excellence, food safety, compliance, risk management, and continuous improvement systems aligned with global standards. Dr. Jha is a Qualified Independent Director, certified by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, reflecting his commitment to corporate governance, ethical leadership, and sustainable business practices. He has previously held senior leadership positions at Dabur India Limited, Emami Limited, Charak Pharma Pvt. Ltd., and Hamdard Laboratories, leading strategic initiatives in quality management, regulatory compliance, product excellence, and organizational development. A respected industry thought leader and speaker, Dr. Jha has addressed leading national forums, including programs organized by the Institute of Directors (IOD).

Sitaram Kunte, IAS (Retd.)

Chairman - Western Region, Institute of Directors (IOD)
former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra

Mr. Sitaram Kunte, a retired Maharashtra cadre IAS officer, boasts a stellar career. He served in key roles within the Government of Maharashtra, including Secretary to the Governor, CEO of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, Principal Secretary in various departments, and Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department. Notably, he was the Municipal Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation from 2012 to 2015, overseeing infrastructure projects. Kunte, who entered the IAS in 1985, pursued academic interests alongside his career, studying Public Policy at universities in the UK and the USA. Post-retirement in 2021, he teaches Public Policy, serves on boards, and contributes to non-profit organizations. He currently chairs the Mumbai chapter of the Institute of Directors since July 2023.

Guljari Lal

Additional Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General

Mr. Guljari Lal is a 1992-batch Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) officer and currently serves as Additional Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (State Commercial) at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. With over three decades of experience, he has held diverse leadership and professional assignments across international, national and State levels. At the international level, he has undertaken audit assignments of United Nations bodies and the World Health Organization (WHO) across multiple countries and served as a faculty member at the Supreme Audit Institution of Bhutan, contributing to capacity building in public sector auditing. At the national level, he has served at the CAG Headquarters and field offices, besides deputations to the Government of India as Director in the Ministry of Finance and Financial Adviser in a public sector organisation. His State-level experience includes auditing government departments, public sector enterprises and other public institutions. Mr. Guljari Lal represents the CAG of India on the ASOSAI Working Group on State Owned Enterprises. In his present capacity, he heads the State Commercial Wing, overseeing the audit of approximately 1,700 State Public Sector Enterprises and 920 State Autonomous Bodies across India. He holds qualifications in Human Resource Management and Business Administration, along with a Master’s degree in History.

Janmejaya Mahapatra

Chief Executive Officer - SEIL Energy India Limited

Mr. Janmejaya Mahapatra is the Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer of SEIL Energy India Limited (SEIL), one of India’s leading independent power producers. With nearly 34 years of experience across the power sector value chain, he has played a significant role in advancing operational excellence, technological innovation, and sustainable growth in India’s energy industry. At SEIL, Mr. Mahapatra leads the company’s long-term strategy and oversees the performance of its 2.64 GW supercritical thermal power complex, strengthening its reputation for efficiency, reliability, and contribution to India’s energy security. He is also responsible for fostering strategic partnerships with government and industry stakeholders while driving corporate governance and environmental responsibility across the organization. Prior to joining SEIL, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Jhabua Power Limited and Group COO of ACB (India) Limited, and held senior leadership positions at Avantha Power & Infrastructure Limited. He also spent nearly two decades at NTPC, gaining extensive experience across both public and private sector power operations. Mr. Mahapatra holds an Honours degree in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, a PG Diploma in Business Management (Finance) from IMT Ghaziabad, and has completed the Senior Management Programme at IIM Kozhikode.

Anuj Malik, IAS

Chief Executive Officer - Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA)

Ms. Anuj Malik, IAS is a 2017-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, with diverse experience spanning industrial development, infrastructure, investment promotion, rural development, revenue administration, food and civil supplies, and public policy. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer, Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA), a position she has held since September 2023, and also serves as Regional Controller of Food, Gorakhpur. Ms. Malik began her administrative career as an Assistant Collector (Under Training) in Varanasi and Chandigarh in 2018. She subsequently served as Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, and as Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Muzaffarnagar and Gorakhpur. From 2021 to 2022, she served as Chief Development Officer, Kushinagar, gaining extensive experience in rural development and grassroots administration. In 2023, she served as Additional Commissioner, Revenue, Gorakhpur, before assuming her present role at GIDA. As CEO of GIDA, Ms. Malik’s work is closely aligned with Uttar Pradesh’s One Trillion-Dollar Economy vision, with a focus on industrialisation, investment mobilisation, infrastructure-led growth, employment generation, and ease of doing business. Her areas of expertise include industrial development, investment promotion, infrastructure, urban development, public policy, governance, and administrative reforms.

Ajit Kumar Mishra

Director (Works) - IRCON International Ltd.

Mr. Ajit Kumar Mishra is Director (Works) on the Board of IRCON International Limited, a Schedule ‘A’ Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways. An officer of the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), he brings over 25 years of experience in planning, execution, governance and delivery of large-scale railway and transportation infrastructure projects. As Director (Works), he provides strategic leadership for IRCON’s portfolio of railway, high-speed rail, metro, bridge, tunnel and track projects in India and overseas. He oversees project execution, engineering, contract governance, quality, safety, stakeholder coordination and timely delivery of major infrastructure programmes, including the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, major bridges, tunnelling works and critical rail connectivity initiatives. He also oversees IRCON’s projects in Bangladesh, Malaysia and Nepal. Previously, Mr. Mishra held senior leadership positions at DFCCIL, where he led major railway infrastructure projects and headed Contract Management, covering procurement, contract administration and dispute resolution. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur, he holds an MBA in International Business and an LL.M. in International Dispute Resolution. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), FIDIC President’s List Adjudicator and FIDIC Certified Trainer.

Prasanna Mohile

National Head & Executive Board Member, Pernod Ricard India

Mr. Prasanna Mohile is the National Head, Corporate Affairs and Executive Board Member of Pernod Ricard India, with over four decades of experience in Public Affairs and Public Relations across diverse industries. He also serves as a National Executive Member of FICCI, Board Member of the European Business Group, Vice Chairperson of the EU-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Senior Advisor to the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry. With nearly 13 years at Pernod Ricard India, Mr. Mohile leads the Corporate Affairs function, providing strategic direction on legislative, regulatory and policy matters impacting the business. He engages with government bodies, industry associations, think tanks and other stakeholders to support a conducive business environment and advance the company’s interests. He also oversees internal audit, corporate governance, compliance and internal control processes, contributing to the company’s reputation and stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining Pernod Ricard India, Mr. Mohile held significant roles at JSW Energy, Indorama Synthetics and Universal Pharmaceuticals. His extensive experience in corporate affairs, public policy, governance and stakeholder engagement continues to support Pernod Ricard India’s growth and its engagement with India’s evolving business and regulatory landscape.

M. Nagaraju, IAS (Retd.)

former Secretary - Dept. of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance India

Mr. M. Nagaraju, IAS (Retd.) is a 1993-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Tripura cadre, with over three decades of experience across state, national and international assignments. An Economics graduate and postgraduate in Philosophy from the University of Hyderabad, he has held senior positions in public administration, economic affairs, coal and financial services. He served as District Magistrate and held senior positions in Tribal Welfare, Health, Finance, and Industries & Commerce in Tripura. At the Ministry of Finance, he handled bilateral economic relations with Japan and North America and the World Bank, contributing to major infrastructure initiatives including the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Dedicated Freight Corridor and metro projects. He later served as Advisor to the Executive Director at the World Bank, Washington D.C., contributing to India’s response to the global financial, food and fuel crises and representing India in international forums including the G-20. As Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, he played a key role in opening India’s coal sector to commercial mining.

Shachindra Nath

Founder and Managing Director - UGRO Capital

Mr. Shachindra Nath is the Founder and Managing Director of UGRO Capital Limited, a DataTech lending platform listed on the NSE and BSE, committed to bridging India’s small business credit gap through an integrated approach combining data, technology, and distribution. With over three decades of experience in the financial services industry, Mr. Nath has built UGRO Capital into one of India’s leading MSME-focused lenders. Under his leadership, the company has pioneered a DataTech-driven lending model that combines sectoral expertise, advanced analytics, and digital infrastructure to deliver customized credit solutions to underserved small businesses across India. He also plays an active role in shaping the financial services ecosystem, serving as Chairman of the ASSOCHAM National Council on NBFC and Green Financing, Co-Chairman of the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Banking, NBFC and Finance Committee, a Board Member of FIDC, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Unified Fintech Forum (UFF). Mr. Nath has led UGRO Capital’s expansion through a network of over 300 branches and the growth of GRO X, the company’s embedded finance platform. He has also driven the development of GRO Score 3.0, an AI- and ML-based credit assessment model that enables faster, data-driven lending decisions for MSMEs. He holds a law degree from Banaras Hindu University.

Lt. Gen. Surinder Nath, PVSM AVSM (Retd.)

President - Institute of Directors
former Chairman, UPSC
former Vice Chief of Army Staff

Born on 26th June 1937, Commissioned into Regiment of Artillery in June 1957. Took active part in 1971 Indo-Pak war in Jammu- Samba sector. On promotion as Lieutenant General in 1991. Commanded all troops in Kashmir and Ladakh Sector. Appointed as Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 1st July 1993. Here he was deeply involved in strategic planning, procurement of equipment and armament, and transfer of technology. For his outstanding professional competence, able leadership and exceptional devotion to duty, was awarded Param Vishist Sewa Medal (Highest award for distinguished service and extreme devotion to duty) and Ati Vishist Sewa Medal by the President of India in 1993 and 1991 respectively. After rendering 38 years of Army service retired on 30th June 1995. Was appointed as Member, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 20th September 1995. Served as Chairman UPSC from December 1998 to June 2002. Served as Vice Chairman of the Institute of Directors, New Delhi from March 2011 to November 2022. He had compiled two handbooks for IOD i.e. Handbook for Independent Directors and a Handbook on Corporate Leadership. He took over as the President of Institute of Directors with effect from 02 December, 2022.

Shailesh Nigam

Chief Operating Officer - EEMEA, SAARC & CIS, AAF International

Mr. Shailesh Nigam, a distinguished HVAC professional and the Chief Operating Officer at AAF International, a 105-year-old pioneer in clean air solutions and part of the Daikin group. AAF is a leader in the air filtration industry, specializing in advanced technology for air filters, purifiers, and IAQ products that set the standard for air quality excellence. Mr. Nigam is responsible for overseeing the company's operations across India, the Middle East, Africa, and the CIS regions, spearheading a campaign to promote air filtration as a vital health and wellness solution. He also serves as a Director at AAF India and is a board member for AAF LLC Dubai, AAF JAFZA Dubai, AAF Saudi Arabia, and AAF Turkey. With 34 years of expertise, Mr. Nigam excels in regional and global operations management, profitability enhancement, business expansion, strategic client relationships, HVAC systems, project management, and stakeholder management. Known as a visionary leader, he has a proven track record of building motivated teams and driving processes that deliver superior results. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles at prominent organizations such as Fedders Lloyd, Blue Star, McQuay, Trane, and Daikin. He is widely recognized as a ‘change agent’ for his ability to challenge the status quo and drive transformative improvements, leading to successful turnarounds in every company he has led.

Puneet Pratap Singh

Regional Director - Research and Analytics - APAC, Gallup

Mr. Puneet Pratap Singh is part of Gallup Practice Team and APAC Regional Lead for Research Design and Analytics. Based out of Bangalore, he works closely with the Indian, New Zealand, Australian, China, and South East Asian teams. In his role, his prime focus is leading the research and analysis of projects in the region. With his deep understanding of Gallup science and statistics, he is responsible for the data insight and the impact by final deliverables. He has experience of multiple Customer and Employee Engagement projects in Hospitality, IT, Automobile, Banking and Telecom industries. Mr. Singh has an MBA from IMT-G in Marketing and Bachelor in Technology degree in Metallurgy from IIT-BHU.

Dr. Ajay Ranka

Chairman & MD - Zydex Group

Dr. Ajay Ranka, a pioneer in nanotechnology, holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from Lehigh University, USA. After starting his career with PPG Industries, he founded Zydex Industries in 1997, transforming it into a global leader in sustainable solutions across textiles, roads, agriculture, waterproofing, and paints. Zydex, under his leadership, has over 1,200 employees and operates in more than 40 countries with 200+ innovative products. Dr. Ranka has received numerous accolades, including awards from the International Roads Federation and the Confederation of Indian Industry. He serves on the IRF board and has been a member of the Technology Development Board of the Government of India. Beyond business, he is the founder-director of ‘Shashvat Vikas Prabodhan Parishad,' an NGO improving chemical-free farming, education, and animal husbandry in Gujarat. His 'Prakalp Sanjivani' program aids farmers in adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Dr. Ranka also contributes to academia as a board member of several universities. Dr . Ranka’s dedication to innovation and sustainability has made Zydex a global success and solidified his legacy as an industry visionary.

Dr. Upendra Tripathy, IAS (Retd.)

former Union Secretary, MNRE & Honorary Advisor (Climate Change) to CM Karnataka

Dr. Upendra Tripathy, IAS is a retired Indian Administrative Service officer of the Karnataka cadre with over four decades of experience in public administration, renewable energy, sustainable development and institutional transformation. He served as the first and founding Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) from 2016 to 2021, playing a pivotal role in establishing its governance framework and building it into a global organisation focused on solar energy and sustainable development. Prior to the ISA, Shri Tripathy served as Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) from 2014 to 2016. During his tenure, he contributed significantly to India’s ambitious renewable energy expansion and led several important institutional and policy initiatives. He also served as Chairperson of institutions including SECI, National Institute of Solar Energy, National Institute of Wind Energy, National Institute of Bio Energy and AREAS. Earlier, he held senior positions across the Government of Karnataka and Government of India, including Managing Director of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), where he led a significant turnaround of the city’s public transport system. He received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration for his work in transforming BMTC. Dr. Tripathy holds Master’s degrees in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Public Administration from Carleton University, Canada.

Nehal Vora

Managing Director & CEO - Central Depository Services Ltd., India

Mr. Nehal Vora is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL), India’s premier depository by account volume and the sole listed entity of its kind in the Asia-Pacific. With a distinguished career spanning over 27 years, he has held pivotal leadership roles at BSE Limited, DSP Merrill Lynch, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Under his stewardship, CDSL has achieved unprecedented growth, surpassing the milestone of 150 million demat accounts while championing financial literacy and investor protection. A recognized authority on regulatory frameworks, he actively contributes to several SEBI advisory committees. His professional excellence has been celebrated with prestigious honours, including the 'Global Custodian Legend Award, Asia' in 2024 and 'CEO of the Year Asia' by Asia Asset Management. Furthermore, CDSL has secured top industry recognitions such as 'Central Securities Depository of the Year' and 'Best Market Infrastructure Institution.' Mr. Vora began his journey with SEBI in 1996, where he was instrumental in introducing derivatives and implementing the landmark T+2 rolling settlement system.

Santanu Mitra

Senior Economic Advisor - Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Govt. of India

Mr. Santanu Mitra, IES is a 1993-batch Indian Economic Service officer and currently serves as Senior Economic Adviser, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. He has over three decades of experience in economic policy, public administration, MSME development, infrastructure, skilling, trade and regional development. During his career, Mr. Mitra has held senior positions in the Department of Economic Affairs, North Eastern Council, Planning Commission/NITI Aayog, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of MSME and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. His responsibilities have included external sector and balance of payments issues, infrastructure, State plans, urban poverty, telecommunications, public procurement and MSME policy. During his tenure with the North Eastern Council, he handled regional planning and economic issues and served as Programme Coordinator and Development Strategist for the NERCORMP, an NEC-IFAD livelihood initiative. He facilitated its Phase-II and introduced NEATFEST, an annual platform showcasing products of self-help groups. He has also served as Economic Adviser and Senior Economic Adviser, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, handling policy matters relating to skilling, and at the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, with responsibilities relating to CSR policy. An alumnus of Presidency College, Kolkata, Shri Mitra holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Economics and a Management Programme in Public Policy from the Indian School of Business. He has also undertaken specialised programmes at Harvard Kennedy School.

Sanjay Gupta

Head of Marketing - AI Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL)

Mr. Sanjay Gupta, presently heading Marketing at AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), brings over three decades of distinguished experience in aviation operations, engineering, quality and maintenance. He holds an MBA in Finance from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and a B2 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence on the Airbus A320 family. He is also an ISO 9001 Certified Lead Auditor. He previously served as Vice President (Group Head – Fleet Induction and MIS) at Tata Air India, where he spearheaded the historic fleet induction programme, including India’s first Airbus A350 induction. He subsequently served as Chief Maintenance Manager of Trivandrum MRO and Head of Kerala Region, during which the MRO secured EASA 145 and AS9110C accreditations. From 2015 to 2022, Mr. Gupta worked closely with the CEO of AIESL and three successive CMDs of pre-disinvestment Air India as their Executive Assistant, gaining extensive exposure to cross-functional airline operations, policy formulation and government relations. He also brings substantial experience in Quality and Line Maintenance and has contributed to several prestigious aviation projects, receiving commendations for his work.

Hon’ble Justice U. U. Lalit

Chairman - Institute of Directors
former Chief Justice of India

Hon’ble Justice Uday U. Lalit enrolled as an advocate in June 1983. He specialised in criminal law and practiced at the Bombay HC from 1983 to 1985. Following his stint at the Bombay HC, he worked in the chambers of then Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabjee, from 1986 to 1992. Justice Lalit was designated as Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court in April, 2004. He aided the Court as amicus curiae in many important matters pertaining to forests, vehicular pollution and pollution of the Yamuna river.

Justice Lalit was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court directly from the Bar on August 13th, 2014. He was the sixth Judge elevated directly to the SC without having served as a Judge in a lower court or High Court. As an SC Judge, he was appointed as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on May 14th, 2021. Justice Lalit took over as the 49th Chief Justice of India on August 27th, 2022, becoming the only second CJI to be elevated directly from the bar.

Hon’ble Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi

Vice-Chairman - Institute of Directors
Judicial Member Lokpal of India
former Chairperson - Law Commission of India
former Chief Justice - Karnataka High Court

Hon’ble Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi is a distinguished Indian jurist currently serving as Judicial Member of the Lokpal of India. With a legal and judicial career spanning nearly four decades, he is widely respected for his judicial acumen, integrity, and expertise in constitutional and administrative law.

Born on 3 July 1960, he graduated from Lucknow University and enrolled as an Advocate in 1987. He practised at the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court, specialising in civil, service, and educational matters, before serving as Assistant Solicitor General of India. He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court in 2009 and became a Permanent Judge in 2010.

In October 2021, Justice Awasthi was appointed the 31st Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, where he earned recognition for his balanced judicial approach and efficient court administration. Following his retirement in July 2022, he was appointed Chairperson of the 22nd Law Commission of India, contributing significantly to key legal and policy deliberations of national importance.

During his distinguished judicial tenure of over 13 years, Justice Awasthi decided around 44,000 cases, with more than 600 judgments approved for reporting, many carrying nationwide impact and international relevance. In March 2024, he assumed office as Judicial Member of the Lokpal of India, continuing his contribution towards strengthening the rule of law, judicial institutions, and good governance in India.

K. Sanjay Murthy, IAS

Comptroller and Auditor General of India

Mr. K. Sanjay Murthy was sworn in as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on 21st November 2024 by the Hon’ble President of India and he assumed office on the same day. Before his appointment as CAG, Mr. K. Sanjay Murthy, an IAS Officer of 1989 batch, served as the Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, a position he held from 1st October, 2021 to 20th November, 2024. In this role, he played a pivotal role in implementation of the transformational National Education Policy 2020. Previously, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He also held senior positions as Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, overseeing development of urban transport and broadcast regulations and licensing. In the State Government, he worked as Secretary in the Education, Technical Education, Power and Transport sectors. During his service, he has also served in the National Institute of Smart Government (NISG), assisting State and Central Government Ministries/Departments with their e-governance adoption. Mr. Murthy likes to read, listen to music, capture moments through photography and spend time with nature in his spare time.

Tuhin Kanta Pandey, IAS

Chairman, SEBI, Securities and Exchange Board of India

Mr. Tuhin Kanta Pandey took charge as Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India in Mumbai on March 01, 2025. Mr. Pandey is an IAS Officer of Odisha Cadre belonging to the 1987 batch. Before joining SEBI he served as Union Finance Secretary, Revenue Secretary and Secretary, Department of Investment & Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises and Secretary, DOP&T. Mr. Pandey has held many significant positions in the Union Government and State Government of Odisha, in addition to serving a stint in the Regional Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). In the Union Government, his previous organisations include Planning Commission (Now Niti Aayog), Cabinet Secretariat and Ministry of Commerce. In the State Government of Odisha, he served as administrative head in the Departments of Finance, Health, General Administration, Commercial Taxes and Transport. In his career spanning over more than three decades, Mr. Pandey has wide experience in the areas of Economy & Finance, Industrial Development, Tax policy and administration and has been instrumental in bringing about several significant institutional innovations, new policies and systems in the Departments he has served. He holds a Masters Degree in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh and Master of Business Administration from the University of Birmingham (UK).