Latest news with #BITSPilani
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Success Story: IPS Suman Nala, A BITS Pilani Engineering Graduate, Cracked UPSC In 4th Attempt
A young probationary officer, IPS Suman Nala ended the 12-year social exile of 29 families from Banaskantha, gaining attention for her efforts. In the remote tribal region of Banaskantha, 29 families who had endured social exile for over a decade have finally returned home. Nearly 300 members of the Kodarvi community were ostracized, their homes deserted, and their farmlands neglected. Forced to leave, they survived as daily wage labourers in Surat, Palanpur, and other cities, cut off from their heritage and identity. For 12 years, no solution emerged until fate intervened in the form of IPS probationary officer Suman Nala. A young probationary officer, Nala ended the 12-year social exile of 29 families from Banaskantha, gaining attention for her efforts. Born into a modest family, she completed an engineering degree in Computer Science from BITS Pilani in 2012 and worked for three years at Oracle, but her dream was to become a civil service officer. Consequently, she left her job. In 2019, she secured the 508th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Exam on her fourth attempt and was selected for the post of IPS. Initially appointed to the Jharkhand cadre in 2021, she was transferred to the Gujarat cadre due to her marriage to Gujarat cadre IPS Om Prakash Jat. Since then, she has been serving in Gujarat. Suman's journey was challenging. The UPSC syllabus and her engineering background posed difficulties, as computer science was not an optional subject. She cleared the prelims for the first time in 2016 but did not pass the mains. In 2017, she reached the interview stage but did not make the final list. She failed again in 2018, but with support from her husband (who had also cleared UPSC) and her parents, she succeeded in 2019. Suman's strategy was effective. For prelims, she studied mock tests and monthly current affairs, believing that tests indicate what to remember and what to overlook. For her optional subject, she chose history, which she enjoyed. She prepared for prelims and mains simultaneously, focusing on prelims three to four months prior, then revising mains. Making notes was a habit that helped in revision. In the interview, she focused on her state, district, career, and education. A 2021 batch IPS officer, she was posted as ASP in Danta. There, her domestic help informed her that her parents were among the 300 people of the Kodarvi community ostracised for 12 years under the 'Chadotara' tradition following the 2014 murder. Suman investigated the case and found that the main accused had been acquitted, yet the punishment persisted. She began discussions with the Panchs along with SP Akshayraj Makwana and Sub-Inspector Jayshree Desai. Through patient negotiations and raising Rs 70 lakh (Rs 40 lakh from the collector fund and Rs 30 lakh from NGOs), she succeeded in bringing the families back. Now the fields are flourishing, 30 houses are being built, and the children are attending school. view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 17:16 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Avendus Wealth-Hurun India Uth Series 2025: Zepto cofounders top the list
With 8 alumni featured, BITS Pilani leads all undergraduate institutions, followed by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi with 6 each The inaugural edition of the Avendus Wealth – Hurun India Uth Series 2025 recognises 79 young leaders aged 30 and below making a significant impact across the Indian economy. The co-founders of the quick commerce unicorn Zepto, Kaivalya Vohra (22) and Aadit Palicha (22), stand out as the youngest entrepreneurs of the year. In terms of cities, Mumbai reaffirms its dominance as India's financial capital, leading with 15 featured entrepreneurs. With 8 alumni featured, BITS Pilani leads all undergraduate institutions, followed by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi with 6 each.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Under-30 entrepreneurs created over 64,000 jobs in India, raised $5.2 billion in funding: Hurun-Avendus report
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills India's youngest founders are not only attracting significant capital but also contributing to large-scale job creation, according to the under-30 list of the Avendus Wealth Hurun India Uth series report, released jointly by Avendus Wealth and Hurun India on Wednesday, features 79 founders and business leaders aged 30 or below. Their companies have collectively raised $5.2 billion in equity and $270 million in debt, and created more than 64,000 the 79 individuals, 66 are first-generation founders, pointing to a growing base of self-made entrepreneurs. BITS Pilani leads all undergraduate institutions with eight alumni on the list, followed by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi with six products and services accounted for the largest share with 21 entrepreneurs, followed by consumer goods (12) and financial services (9). Overall, service-led companies made up 61% of the featured businesses, the report noted.'When we look at India as a country, it's a very young economy compared to the rest of the world. The ecosystem is evolving from the kinds of investable companies that are emerging, to how mature the infrastructure and support systems are becoming,' Anas Rahman Junaid, managing director and chief researcher at Hurun India, told ET. 'What we will see in the next 10–15 years is wealth creation across the board in an Indian context, be it family offices, next-gen entrepreneurs, or first-generation entrepreneurs who now have cash flows.' Zepto , the quick commerce startup cofounded by 22-year-olds Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha, led the list with $1.95 billion in equity raised . It was followed by AI search platform Perplexity, led by Aravind Srinivas, with $915 million, and fintech unicorn BharatPe, cofounded by Shashvat Nakrani, which has secured $604 report also highlights the strategic priorities of the young founders in terms of capital deployment. Nearly 44% of capital raised has been deployed toward product development and expansion, followed by 30% for geographic growth and 12% for talent acquisition.'We've seen a very significant shift in terms of entrepreneurship in India . A bunch of young founders are coming in, and many of them are first-generation entrepreneurs,' said Apurva Sahijwani, MD and CEO, Avendus Wealth. 'It's not that they're coming from established business families; they're taking the initiative to launch their ventures and succeeding because of the investment they're making in terms of their own commitment and effort.'
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Mumbai tops, BITS leads, Zepto shines: Inside India's Under-30 power list
India's entrepreneurial engine is running faster and younger than ever. The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U30 List 2025 has spotlighted 79 of the country's most dynamic founders and young business leaders—all aged 30 or below—who are collectively redefining India's economic future. Together, these U30 entrepreneurs have raised $5.2 billion in equity and $270 million in debt, built companies valued at $25 million or more, and created over 64,000 jobs. Mumbai leads with 15 honorees, BITS Pilani tops the academic charts, and service-led ventures dominate with 61% of the cohort. First-generation founders make up 66 of the 79 names on the list, signaling a generational shift toward self-made wealth. Zepto's 22-year-old co-founders Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha top the youth leaderboard, while Svatantra Microfin stands as the largest employer with over 23,000 people. The list, a part of the Avendus–Hurun Uth Series, is both a celebration of bold ambition and a blueprint for India's next-gen innovation hubs. The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U30 List 2025 spotlights 10 standout entrepreneurs aged 25 and under, proving that age is no barrier to impact. Zepto co-founders Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha, both 22, lead the pack with their rapid grocery delivery unicorn. Joining them is Arjun Deshpande (22), who founded Generic Aadhaar to provide affordable medicines nationwide. In Tamil Nadu, AVR Shree Smaran (22) is modernizing his family's jewellery business. Three co-founders of Swish—Ujjwal Sukheja, Saran S, and Aniket Shah—are reshaping India's fashion-tech space from across Bengaluru, Tiruchirappalli, and Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, Rahul Rawat (25) of Digantara is making waves in SpaceTech, and Shiva Sankeshwar (23) is revamping intercity travel with Vijayanand Travels. Mihir Menda (25) leads global real estate strategy at RMZ Boston. Mumbai, India's financial nerve centre, leads the U30 chart with 15 entrepreneurs, but this list proves innovation isn't confined to metros. Visionaries from cities like Thane, Ranchi, Salem, Hubballi, and Tiruchirappalli have carved out national success stories in sectors as diverse as healthtech, logistics, and content creation. Among them is Kaivalya Vohra, co-founder of Zepto, who at just 22 is the youngest on the list. Alongside his co-founder Aadit Palicha, Vohra has turned a quick commerce dream into a billion-dollar blitzkrieg, all before the age many are still finishing college. Then there's Arjun Deshpande from Thane, who founded Generic Aadhaar at 16. Now 22, he leads a network delivering affordable medicines across India, democratising access to healthcare. Service Economy Rising: Youth Backing Businesses That Scale Fast A majority 61% of the listed ventures are service-led—spanning software, fintech, healthtech, and flexible workspaces. Software products and services led the pack with 21 entrepreneurs, followed by consumer goods (12) and financial services (9). Many are tapping India's twin tailwinds: a massive domestic market and a global appetite for Indian engineering and design. Startups founded by U30 entrepreneurs collectively employ 64,175 people—with microfinance firm Svatantra Microfin alone contributing 23,289 jobs. Capital Raised, and Smartly Deployed This year's U30 cohort has raised a staggering $5.2 billion in equity and $270 million in debt, a clear sign that global and domestic investors are backing young Indian founders. What's more interesting is how the funds are being used. About 44% of all capital raised has been allocated toward product development and expansion, highlighting a maturity of thought in scaling businesses sustainably rather than just chasing vanity metrics. Self-Made Surge: 66 of 79 Are First-Gen Entrepreneurs The 2025 list features 66 first-generation entrepreneurs, cementing the narrative that where you come from matters less than what you build. 'India's startup ecosystem is no longer about who you know; it's about what you create,' said Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher at Hurun India. 'The U30 List is a tribute to India's audacious new wave—builders who are rewriting the playbook, often before turning 30.' BITS Pilani Is the New Entrepreneurial Hotbed In the talent sweepstakes, BITS Pilani outperformed IITs. With 8 alumni featured, it beat IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi (6 each), spotlighting an evolving mix of institutes powering India's innovation engine. Notable names include Harikrishna Ramesh Valiyath and Vrushali Prasade of Pixis, and Rishabh Shekhar and Anirudh Singla of Pepper Content. Women Are Making Big Moves Too While the list remains male-dominated, rising women entrepreneurs are making their mark. Devika Gholap (28) is pioneering AI-driven diagnostics through OptraSCAN, a digital pathology company with global aspirations. Her inclusion represents a welcome push towards gender parity in India's startup space. Spotlight on Social and Economic Impact From Digantara's space tech innovation to Swish's expansion in semi-urban India, the list features businesses that are not just profit-centric but also socially relevant. Another standout is Shashvat Nakrani, co-founder of BharatPe, who has now invested in 19+ companies. Here are the key details: Kaivalya Vohra (22) from Mumbai is the youngest co-founder this year, credited with the rapid rise of quick commerce startup Zepto. Mumbai leads with 15 featured entrepreneurs, reaffirming its status as India's financial capital. The average age of the U30 entrepreneurs is 28, reflecting the youthful leadership shaping India's business future. Devika Gholap (28) is the youngest woman on the list, driving innovation in digital pathology through OptraSCAN. BITS Pilani tops the educational institutions with 8 alumni featured, followed by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi with 6 each. Software products and services is the most represented industry with 21 entrepreneurs, followed by 12 in consumer goods and 9 in financial services. Service-led companies dominate, making up 61% of the featured entrepreneurs. Ananyashree Birla (30) brings the longest entrepreneurial track record in the list, with 13 years in business. The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U30 List 2025 recognises 79 exceptional young leaders under 30 reshaping Indian enterprise. The list features visionary first-generation founders (valued at USD 25 mn+) and next-gen family business leaders (valued at USD 50 mn+). This U30 list is part of the broader Avendus Wealth – Hurun India Uth Series 2025, which also includes entrepreneurs under 35 and under 40. Aravind Srinivas of Perplexity has the highest LinkedIn following among U30 entrepreneurs, at 3.8 lakh. The 79 U30 entrepreneurs collectively employ 64,175 people, reflecting their large-scale operational impact. Svatantra Microfin, led by Ananyashree Birla, is the largest employer in the cohort with 23,289 employees. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have raised USD 5.2 billion in equity and USD 270 million in debt, showcasing startup ecosystem vitality. U30-led companies are strategically deploying capital, with 44% of funds going toward product development and expansion. Shashvat Nakrani, Co-founder & COO of BharatPe, has invested in 19+ companies, highlighting his growing role as a young investor. 66 out of 79 entrepreneurs are first-generation founders, signaling the rise of self-made ambition in India.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Constelli – Signalling India's defence intelligence proficiency
Against the backdrop of growing demands for sophisticated defence systems, one Indian company is quietly building the technological nerve centre for future electronic warfare. Constelli, a homegrown deep tech startup based out of Hyderabad and Bangalore, is spearheading innovation in electronic intelligence and signal processing, redefining the possibilities of mission-critical applications in the defence and aerospace sectors, putting India on the global innovations map. Innovating for India and Beyond: Pushing the Frontiers of Defence Technology From IT to tactical signal intelligence As India sharpens its strategic posture on global and regional fronts, particularly along its borders, the spotlight often falls on advanced defence equipment—tactical hardware, radars, drones, satellite systems. But behind this hardware is an unsung hero: software. And more specifically, signal processing software where algorithms, AI integration, and hardware-software symbiosis are driving the future of electronic warfare. Satya Gopal Panigrahi, CEO, Constelli, says, 'Software defines what hardware should do. In today's battlespace, from drones to satellite communications, the software layer plays a decisive role in shaping mission outcomes,' he reiterates. Constelli's products span a wide spectrum: from tactical radios and radar subsystems to war-gaming simulators, counter-drone payloads, and AI-driven receiver systems. Their edge lies in understanding the nuance of signal processing and engineering products that combine high computing, AI, and rapid field adaptability. The early steps: Resilience over resources Constelli was founded in 2017 with zero external capital. The company was bootstrapped, survived existential cash flow crunches, and pivoted smartly to stay relevant in the capital-intensive defence ecosystem. Satya, an engineering graduate from BITS Pilani, with extensive experience and expertise in sales, co-founded Constelli with Avinash, a seasoned expert in RF Systems and Signal Processing. Aligned by a common strategic vision, the founders are focused on establishing a globally competitive enterprise that advances innovation and self-reliance in the defence and aerospace domains. 'We almost gave up. But our team believed in the mission. We downsized from premium premises in Banjara Hills to a cellar-office in Ameerpet and kept building. It took us over two years to break even. Since then, we've grown 100% year-on-year, purely through disciplined execution,' says Satya. Frugality, a sharp sales focus, and retaining a strong engineering core helped Constelli cross a critical threshold in a high-barrier tech industry. The tech firm has successfully exported its niche products to international markets, including South Korea, Australia, and Singapore. Make-in-India with intelligence built in One of Constelli's early achievements was the development of digital telemetry receivers—a technology previously imported from the US and France. 'We were the first in India to design and manufacture these systems indigenously. Today, more than 20 of these are deployed on-field, acquiring real-time data from aircrafts and missiles,' Satya explains. Each of these integrates advanced algorithms, AI, and compact signal intelligence systems—exactly what modern conflicts increasingly rely on. Recently, Constelli's drone-mounted radar jammers and microwave payloads have added new dimensions to counter drones in aerial warfare. With government-backed innovation initiatives, regulatory reforms, and procurement policy support, startups like Constelli are better positioned than ever before. 'Now there's mentorship, testing infrastructure, and real funding support. But for true speed, startups and MSMEs must collaborate—agility is key in this space,' says Avinash. Constelli is among the fastest-growing defence technology companies, demonstrating both strong revenue growth and sustained profitability. Banking big on universal sensors Constelli is now doubling down on electronic warfare (EW) and AI-powered sensors, capable of operating across diverse defence use-cases. Building next-generation systems from anti-drone payloads to space-based technology for Indian defence and export markets, their roadmap is ambitious and already in execution. Despite the scale and ambition, Constelli remains grounded. Every development is tested rigorously. Every failure becomes fuel for innovation. Culture aligned with purpose What sets Constelli apart is its values-driven culture. 'The sense of ownership and national service is real. Our teams talk about culture, vision, and values regularly. This is not just another tech job—it's a mission,' Satya reveals. 'We defined our mission and values early. We hire not just for skills, but alignment with our long-term vision,' Avinash notes, adding that the company is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion, with women comprising over 35% of their workforce—even within the traditionally underrepresented niche of defence electronics. At a glance: Constelli's tech milestones First Indian company to build indigenous digital telemetry receivers Developed advanced war gaming simulators Built agile signal generators used in electronic warfare Created drone-based radar jammers and decoys Now working on universal sensor platforms for multi-domain warfare The winning frontier As India's defence exports continue to grow, and newer conflicts are fought with software-defined systems, startups like Constelli may well form the backbone of the country's electronic intelligence infrastructure. The defence innovation cycle remains long, and high upfront investment remains a challenge. That's where deep focus and capital efficiency become differentiators. 'This is not just about technology—it's national security. Timely, high-quality delivery is non-negotiable,' Satya avers. The battlefield of the future is super intelligent. And Constelli is writing its code. To know more about Constelli, click here .
