Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala
(BT/EE/1975)
Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala is an Institute Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and serves as Chairman of the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad) and ITEL Foundation. One of India's leading technology innovators and institution builders, he has made significant contributions to deep-tech innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry-academia collaboration. Through his leadership, he has helped build a strong innovation ecosystem that has enabled the development of technologies and startups addressing important national challenges.
Profile
After earning his B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1975, Prof. Jhunjhunwala pursued his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Maine, USA. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at Washington State University before joining the faculty of IIT Madras in 1981. Following more than four decades of distinguished service, he became an Institute Professor in 2023. He also served as the Principal Advisor to the Minister of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and Ministry of Railways, Government of India. He was the founding force behind the IIT Madras Research Park, India's first university-affiliated research park, and the IITM Incubation Cell, serving as President of the Research Park until 2024.
Prof. Jhunjhunwala has been instrumental in strengthening industry-academia collaboration and fostering innovation-led entrepreneurship in India. Through the IIT Madras Research Park, the IITM Incubation Cell, and the Rural Technology and Business Incubator (RTBI), he has nurtured more than 350 startups, helping build one of India's most vibrant deep-tech innovation ecosystems. In recognition of his exceptional contribution to entrepreneurship, TiE conferred upon him the title of Dronacharya for mentoring and nurturing technology startups.
He has also led the TeNeT Group, driving the development of affordable, indigenous technologies in telecommunications, banking, renewable energy, healthcare, and electric mobility. His innovations - including Wireless in Local Loop (WLL), remote health monitoring systems, affordable ATMs, Solar-DC technology for rural electrification, and electric mobility solutions - have delivered scalable technological solutions with far-reaching societal impact. His work continues to focus on advancing technologies that strengthen India's leadership in critical sectors while addressing large-scale societal needs.
His remarkable journey and contributions are chronicled in the authorised biography, Roots & Wings: Building India's Deep Tech Ecosystem, authored by Ms. Saloni Malhotra. He has also been conferred honorary doctorates by University of Maine, USA and Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden. IIT Kanpur conferred upon him the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2000.
Prof. Jhunjhunwala is a Member of the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and a Fellow of IEEE, the World Wireless Research Forum (WWRF), and all four premier Indian science and engineering academies - INSA, IASc, NASI, and INAE
Achievements and Honors
- Padma Shri (2002)
- Distinguished Alumnus Award by IIT Kanpur in 2000.
- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1998)
- Vikram Sarabhai Research Award (1997)
- H. K. Firodia Award
- Millennium Medal, Indian Science Congress
- J.C. Bose Fellowship
- UGC Hari Om Ashram Award
- Silicon India Leadership Award
- Forbes Ecosystem Enabler Award
- TiE Dronacharya Award for contributions to entrepreneurship
- Honorary doctorates by University of Maine, USA and Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden