Over 650 alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi are currently serving in public institutions, underlining the institute’s deep and sustained presence in India’s governance and administrative systems. A significant share of these alumni are part of the country’s civil services, according to the institute’s first-ever Alumni Impact Report.The report, released on the occasion of IIT Delhi’s 68th foundation day, maps the professional journeys of more than 65,000 alumni since the institute’s inception and details their roles across governance, public sector enterprises, national security, academia and industry.Strong footprint in civil services and governanceThe Alumni Impact Report reveals that more than 370 IIT Delhi alumni are currently in the civil services. Out of these, over 270 are officers in the Indian Administrative Service while the rest are officers in the Indian Police Service, Indian Revenue Service and Indian Foreign Service.The report points out that the alumni network of the institute is so well integrated into the governance structures of India that the graduates are engaged in various levels of policymaking, administration and enforcement. Their involvement goes even further than the civil services as they are also part of the regulatory bodies and public institutions that are associated with science and infrastructure.Public sector leadership and national security rolesThe alumni of IIT Delhi are not just limited to the civil services, rather more than 250 of them have been able to secure leadership positions in Indias public sector undertakings, regulatory authorities and scientific missions. The report emphasizes that the positions held by these alumni in these sectors are covering the major strategic areas which is a proof of the long association of the institute with the public sector.The work for national security is equally a very significant aspect in the contributions from the institute. As per the report, it is mentioned that the Naval Construction Wing at IIT Delhi has been able to provide training to more than 700 officers of the Indian Navy which is a clear testimony of the institutes contribution in defence, related education and capacity building.IIT Delhi Director Professor Rangan Banerjee said the report captures the evolution of alumni careers over more than six decades. He noted that graduates have moved from campus life into positions of responsibility across public service, academia and enterprise, a point he emphasised in comments quoted by the PTI.Alumni across industry and corporate leadershipThe report also details the scale of IIT Delhi alumni participation in industry. Around 10,000 alumni currently occupy leadership positions in sectors such as banking and finance, manufacturing and engineering. Of these, nearly 70 per cent are based in India.More than 1,000 alumni serve on the boards of large and diverse corporate entities, reflecting the institute’s reach into private sector governance alongside its public sector presence. The report states that this mix of public and private leadership roles has developed steadily over the years.Founders, employment and the digital economyIIT Delhi’s role in the startup ecosystem is another key focus of the report. Since its early years, the institute has contributed to the global unicorn landscape, with more than 2,500 founders and co-founders emerging from its alumni base.These alumni have played a part in building several well-known brands in the digital economy. According to figures cited in the report, their ventures have contributed to the creation of approximately 4.8 lakh direct jobs.Academic influence in India and abroadThe Alumni Impact Report also outlines the institute’s academic footprint. Currently, the number of IIT Delhi alumni serving as faculty members at QS Top 100 universities worldwide is more than 50. Besides, there are over 300 alumni who have taken up faculty positions in different IITs across India.The report mentions that such a presence in higher education institutions definitely continues to maintain academic standards and guide the future generations of engineers and researchers.Endowment fund and alumni contributionsThe report emphasizes the expansion of the IIT Delhi Endowment Fund, which has been developed solely through the donations of alumni. The fund aims to offer the institute the freedom to make independent investments in research and infrastructure. Currently, the endowment has registered pledges for the amount of Rs 477 crore whereas Rs 338 crore have been received. One of the major contributions was made by the IIT Delhi Class of 2000 which has pledged Rs 70 crore at its Silver Jubilee Reunion in December 2025.Speaking about the extent of alumni engagement, Professor Banerjee said that when there were only 150 alumni in 1966 and 65, 000 now, the graduates have always been instrumental in the technological and social development of India, a comment reported by the PTI.
