In a recent development towards India’s higher education ecosystem, Professor Manmohan Prasad Gupta, a distinguished academic from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, has officially taken charge as the Director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow. This marks the first time an IIT faculty member has been appointed to lead one of India’s premier business schools, ushering in a new era of cross-institutional leadership.
Prof. Manmohan Prasad Gupta, who most recently held the Modi Foundation Chair Professorship at IIT Delhi’s Department of Management Studies, succeeds Prof. Archana Shukla, who served as IIM Lucknow’s director for five years and continued in an interim role until his appointment.
A Scholar with Vision, Integrity, and Impact
An alumnus of HBTU Kanpur, Prof. Gupta holds both his M.Tech and Ph.D. from IIT Delhi and brings with him nearly three decades of academic and administrative experience. He began his academic career at IIT Roorkee before moving to IIT Delhi in 1997, where he has since served in numerous leadership roles, including Head of Department and Dean of Planning.
Known for his pioneering work in e-governance, digital transformation, and public sector innovation, Prof. Gupta has authored over 260 research papers, guided 38 doctoral students, and led multiple national and international research projects. Notably, he has played a pivotal role in shaping initiatives under the Digital India and Smart Cities missions, and was instrumental in establishing the School of Management & Entrepreneurship at IIT Jodhpur in 2020.
Bridging Tech and Management: A Strategic Shift
Prof. Gupta’s appointment is being hailed as a strategic move that signals a paradigm shift in Indian B-school leadership, integrating technology-driven management thinking at the highest levels. His vast experience in areas like cloud computing, mobile governance (m-governance), and public policy advisory has the potential to catalyse innovation and academic excellence at IIM Lucknow.
His contributions have been recognised globally, earning him accolades such as the Shastri Indo-Canadian Fellowship and the Best Professor Award at the World Education Congress. He also led the introduction of the FIWARE platform in India, an EU-backed initiative now in use in World Bank–supported Smart City pilots.
Industry Welcomes the Timely Move
The move comes at a time when several IIMs, including those in Kolkata, Kashipur, and Shillong, have been navigating transitions in leadership. The 2023 amendment to the IIMs Act—bringing the institutions under greater central oversight—has made appointments like these more consequential than ever before.
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Charting a New Course for IIM Lucknow
With Prof. Gupta at the helm, IIM Lucknow is poised to strengthen its focus on digital leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, and global partnerships, aligning its offerings with the dynamic needs of the business world and government alike.
As India’s education sector continues its digital and global evolution, Prof. Gupta’s leadership symbolises a confluence of tradition, innovation, and governance—qualities that could well redefine the roadmap for management education in the country.
