Nandan Nilekani: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Nandan Nilekani’s Profile Summary

Company	Infosys
Position	Co-Founder and Chairman of Infosys, a leading global IT services company. He co-founded Infosys in 1981 and has held various leadership roles, including serving as its CEO from 2002 to 2007
Source of wealth	Co-founding Infosys, equity holdings in Infosys, salary as Chairman of Infosys, contributions to public sector projects (such as Aadhaar).
Also known as	Author, Public Policy Advocate, Philanthropist.
Age	70
Education	Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay – Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Citizenship	Indian
Residence	Bangalore, India
Family	Nandan Nilekani’s family includes his wife, Rohini Nilekani, and their two children.
Website, Social Media	https://www.infosys.com/

Nandan Nilekani’s biography

Nandan Nilekani was born on June 2, 1955, in Bangalore, India. He is a prominent Indian entrepreneur, technocrat, and public servant best known as one of the co-founders of Infosys, a global leader in IT services. After earning his degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, he co-founded Infosys in 1981 with six others, including Narayana Murthy. Nilekani played a crucial role in shaping Infosys into a globally recognized IT firm, serving in various executive roles, including CEO from 2002 to 2007. His leadership helped Infosys grow exponentially and led to its listing on the NASDAQ, making it the first Indian company to do so. Beyond Infosys, Nilekani has also been instrumental in India's digital transformation. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in 2009, where he led the development of Aadhaar, a biometric ID system that has revolutionized access to services for over a billion people. Nilekani has also authored several books and is a well-known philanthropist. He returned to Infosys in 2017 as the Non-Executive Chairman to stabilize the company during a leadership crisis. His diverse contributions to both the private sector and public governance have made him a significant figure in India's technology landscape.

How did Nandan Nilekani make money?

Nandan Nilekani makes money in the following areas:

Co-founding Infosys, equity holdings in Infosys, salary as Chairman of Infosys, contributions to public sector projects (such as Aadhaar).
What is Nandan Nilekani net worth?

As of 2025, Nandan Nilekani’s net worth is estimated to be $3.1B.

What is Nandan Nilekani also known as?

Nandan Nilekani is a prolific author, having written books such as "Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation", which explores India's economic and social changes, and "Rebooting India: Realizing a Billion Aspirations", co-authored with Viral Shah. Beyond his role in technology, he is a public policy advocate and was appointed as the Chairman of UIDAI, where he spearheaded the Aadhaar project, significantly impacting India's governance and service delivery. As a philanthropist, Nilekani and his wife Rohini have pledged significant portions of their wealth to social causes through the Giving Pledge, focusing on education, healthcare, and water resource management.

Prominent achievements of Nandan Nilekani

Nandan Nilekani has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2006 and 2009. He was also awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2006. His leadership of the Aadhaar project transformed India's digital identity landscape, impacting over a billion people. Nilekani is a noted philanthropist and author, contributing extensively to public policy and governance discussions. He has been recognized for his significant influence in both the private and public sectors.

What are Nandan Nilekani’s key insights?

Nandan Nilekani’s business philosophy is centered on creating long-term value and fostering inclusive growth. He believes in leveraging technology to drive societal change and improve public services. His insights emphasize collaboration, innovation, and scalability, often advocating for digital infrastructure as a key to solving large-scale problems. Nilekani also champions entrepreneurship and is committed to ethical leadership, sustainability, and corporate transparency.

Nandan Nilekani’s personal life

Nandan Nilekani is married to Rohini Nilekani, a well-known philanthropist and writer. She is deeply involved in social causes, particularly in education and water conservation. The couple has two children: a son, Nihar, and a daughter, Janhavi. Both children have pursued their own professional careers outside of the public spotlight.

Useful insights

Understanding market forces

In my experience, to truly succeed as an investor, it’s essential to understand the driving forces behind market behavior. Market movements aren’t random—they’re influenced by a range of economic theories and dynamics. The following books provide valuable insights into these forces, offering a deeper understanding of how global financial markets operate and what shapes their trends.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb – "The Black Swan"
- Summary:
  
  Taleb explores the concept of rare, unpredictable events—so-called "Black Swans"—that can have massive impacts on markets and society. These events are often overlooked by traditional risk management models, leading to devastating consequences when they occur. Taleb illustrates how these unpredictable shocks shape our world, often more than gradual, expected changes.
- Why read it:
  
  This book challenges conventional thinking about risk and uncertainty, showing that many major historical and financial events were "Black Swans." It's a vital read for investors who want to build resilience in the face of market volatility.
John Maynard Keynes – "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money"
- Summary:
  
  Keynes revolutionized economics by focusing on total demand within an economy and its effect on output and inflation. His theory suggested that government intervention could stabilize economic cycles through fiscal and monetary policy. The book also explains the consequences of under-consumption and the role of interest rates in managing economic stability.
- Why read it:
  
  For investors interested in macroeconomic trends and policy impacts, Keynes’ work is essential. Understanding the Keynesian framework can help investors predict how government actions might influence market performance.