Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka

(BT/ME/1975)

Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka is a distinguished engineer, industry leader, and institution builder who has made significant contributions to India's automotive and space sectors. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), Department of Space, Government of India.

Profile

Dr. Goenka earned his B. Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT, Kanpur and Ph.D. from Cornell University, U.S.A. He is also a Graduate of Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School. He worked at General Motors R&D Centre in Detroit, U.S.A. from 1979 to 1993. Dr. Goenka joined Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. in 1993 as General Manager (R&D) and led the development of the Scorpio SUV. Dr. Goenka is credited with building a strong R&D ecosystem and a robust product portfolio for Mahindra. He is widely recognized as a statesman of the Indian Auto Industry. Dr. Goenka served on the boards of several Mahindra Group Companies, both domestic and international. He retired from Mahindra as Managing Director and CEO on 1st April 2021.

Under Dr. Goenka's leadership, IN-SPACe has been at the forefront of implementing space reforms in India, facilitating private sector participation to boost the space economy and create a self-reliant, sustainable ecosystem. He was instrumental in shaping the Indian Space Policy 2023. Dr. Goenka played a key role in liberalizing the FDI policy for the space sector. Under his guidance, IN-SPACe launched the Decadal Vision and Strategy for the Indian space economy. The Strategy roadmap is being implemented through various initiatives by IN-SPACe. Under Dr. Goenka's leadership IN-SPACe is actively championing collaboration between ISRO and private players, facilitating technology transfers and handholding industry.

In addition to receiving the national honor of the Padma Shri in 2025, Dr. Goenka has received several other awards such as, Burt L. Newkirk Award, Charles L. McCuen Achievement Award, the FISITA Medal of Honour, Automotive Man of the Year Award, CV Man of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award by Auto Car & Param Shreshth Award by Car & Bike. Dr. Goenka was also honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his unparalleled contribution to the automotive industry by The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) in March 2022.

Dr. Goenka received the Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT Kanpur in 2004 and was also conferred with the Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in 2015. He is a Fellow of SAE International and of The Indian National Academy of Engineers and an International member of National Academy of Engineers, USA.

Dr. Goenka is past President of SIAM, of the Society of Automotive Engineers India, the ARAI Governing Council, and served as a Board Member of National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) and a member of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) National Council. He is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Board of Governors of IIT Madras and an Independent Director on the Sun Pharma Board. Dr. Goenka is the Chairperson of the Steering Committee for Advancing Local value-add and Exports (SCALE), an initiative under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Achievements and Honors

• Padma Shri (2025) in the Trade and Industry category for contributions to India's space sector and automotive industry.
• Burt L. Newkirk Award.
• Charles L. McCuen Achievement Award.
• FISITA Medal of Honour.
• Automotive Man of the Year Award.
• CV Man of the Year Award.
• Param Shreshth Award.
• Lifetime Achievement Award by The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) for his unparalleled contribution to the automotive industry.
• Distinguished Alumni Award, IIT Kanpur (2005).
• Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) conferred in 2015 by IIT Kanpur
• Fellow, SAE International.
• Fellow, Indian National Academy of Engineers.
• Member, National Academy of Engineers, USA.
• Member, CII National Council.