Edtech major UpGrad has appointed former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant as an independent director to its board, marking a significant addition to the company’s leadership at a crucial phase of expansion. Kant, a former CEO of NITI Aayog, is widely regarded for driving policy innovation, ease-of-doing-business reforms, and digital transformation initiatives across India. His move to UpGrad is seen as a strategic signal of the company’s intent to deepen its engagement with regulatory ecosystems and accelerate its global growth roadmap.

The appointment arrives at a time when the professional learning and skilling sector is evolving rapidly, with enterprises and universities increasingly adopting blended and online education models. UpGrad, which has built a strong presence across higher education, workforce skilling, and global degree programmes, is focusing on strengthening its governance and long-term strategy to stay ahead in the competitive edtech landscape. Kant’s policy insights, government experience, and deep understanding of digital public infrastructure are expected to offer valuable guidance as the company expands its presence across India and international markets.

Industry observers believe that the appointment not only adds stature to UpGrad’s boardroom but also signals confidence in the future of digital learning as job markets undergo transformation powered by AI, automation, and skill-based hiring. With universities and employers seeking more collaborative learning ecosystems, UpGrad is aiming to position itself as a major player in outcome-based education.

Amitabh Kant, who has been associated with several national flagship missions, including Startup India and the G20 digital economy agenda, is expected to contribute to strengthening partnerships with governments, corporate organisations, and global institutions. With this move, UpGrad is reinforcing its vision of expanding access to high-quality education and becoming a trusted lifelong learning partner for students and professionals worldwide.