Amidst the ever-evolving landscape of technology and business, India’s top 40 Chief Information Officers (CIOs), stand as beacons of innovation and strategic vision. With their extensive expertise and commitment, these CIOs are empowering organizations across the nation with strategic technological guidance.  Here is the list of these visionary leaders, each contributing their unique expertise to the industry.

Rufus DSouza (Chief Information Officer, Ageas Federal Life Insurance): With over 30 years of experience, Rufus DSouza leads Ageas Federal Life Insurance’s digital initiatives. His tenure at SBI General Insurance and eBaoTech Corporation underscores his expertise in IT applications and information management.

Rakesh Bhardwaj (Chief Information Officer, Lupin): With over 30 years of experience, Rakesh Bhardwaj is a global digital and IT leader. At Lupin, he drives digital transformation and process automation, reinforcing the company’s position as an innovator in the pharmaceutical industry.

Pavan Goyal (Chief Information Officer, Mphasis): Goyal, with 30+ years of experience, drives innovative digital transformation programs at Mphasis, leveraging a hybrid, largely cloud-based IT environment. His strategic outlook and collaborative leadership ensure rapid innovation and customer-centric solutions.

Sony A. (Chief Information Officer, South Indian Bank): Leading digital and technology transformation at South Indian Bank, Son brings over 28 years of expertise in IT and banking. His collaborative approach fosters partnerships with fintech and established players, enhancing customer experiences through emerging technologies.

Aparna Kumar (Chief Information Officer, State Bank of India): Aparna Kumar, based in Mumbai, India, is a customer-focused IT leader with over 26 years of experience. As SBI’s CIO, she spearheads strategic IT initiatives, driving technological leadership and enhancing customer experience through innovative solutions and extensive domain knowledge.

Rupesh Nain (Chief Information Officer, Adani Enterprises Limited): Rupesh Nain, a digital leader with 25+ years of experience, pioneers business transformation across diverse industries. His strategic IT vision, coupled with expertise in enterprise architecture and data analytics, fosters innovation and drives organizational growth.

Venkat Krishnan V. (Chief Information Officer, Karnataka Bank): With a rich background spanning 25 years in banking IT, Venkat Krishnan excels in executing large-scale transformational initiatives. His expertise in enterprise architecture and strategic planning drives technological innovation at Karnataka Bank.

Anil Shankar (Chief Information Officer, Tata International Limited): With over 25 years of experience in IT deployment, Anil Shankar specializes in technology strategy, digital adoption, and large-scale business transformation. His leadership at Tata International Limited drives innovation and efficiency in IT service delivery.

Manoj Mani (Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Information Officer, Medikabazaar): Based in Mumbai, India, Manoj Mani boasts over 27 years of experience in information systems. As the CSO & CIO of Medikabazaar, he orchestrates technology-driven business transformations, propelling the startup to exponential growth in the medical supplies domain.

Krishna Guha Roy (Director IT(CIO), Nestlé South Asia Region): Krishna Guha Roy, currently based in Gurugram, India, is a global IT executive with a rich background in consumer goods and healthcare. With over two decades of experience and a focus on customer-centric solutions, he drives change and innovation, fostering environments for team success through learning and collaboration.

Neeraj Chauhan (Chief Information Officer, PayU India): Renowned for his people-centric leadership, Neeraj Chauhan drives strategic vision and initiatives to enable high business growth. With expertise in digital transformation and cloud engineering, he fosters innovation and continuous improvement at PayU India.

Vinod Gopinathan (Chief Information Officer, Ashok Leyland): With over 28 years of experience, Vinod Gopinathan spearheads digital transformation at Ashok Leyland in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. His robust IT architecture and data-driven solutions propel business growth, leveraging technologies like industrial IoT, big data analytics, and mobility solutions.

Mahendra K Upadhyay (Chief Information Officer, BARC India): Mahendra K Upadhyay, currently holding the position of Chief Information Officer at BARC India, is a visionary leader with over 27 years of experience in technology management. He excels in strategic IT leadership, big data analytics, and revenue stream creation, driving transformative initiatives for Fortune 500 companies in Mumbai, India.

Joe Vinod Mascarenhas (Chief Information Officer, Almasons): Joe Vinod Mascarenhas, based in Bengaluru, India, brings over 25 years of experience to his role at Almasons. His keen focus on technology, process improvements, and fostering relationships defines his distinctive leadership techniques.

Bhavesh Lakhani (EVP & Global CIO, Firstsource): Bhavesh Lakhani, boasting a rich background with 24 years of experience in BFSI and IT services, serves as the Global Chief Information Officer at Firstsource. With expertise in digital strategy, software engineering, and cybersecurity, Bhavesh leads technology teams across North America, Europe, and Asia, driving business value through cutting-edge technology solutions from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Pooja Chatrath (Chief Information Officer, Oncquest Laboratories Ltd.): With 23 years of IT industry experience, Pooja Chatrath, based in Gurugram, Haryana, India, excels in aligning technology with business objectives. As CIO at Oncquest Laboratories, her strategic leadership drives digital transformation, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring data accuracy.

Partha Protim Mondal (Chief Information Officer, Berger Paints India): With over 24 years of expertise, Mondal excels in enterprise Oracle applications, project management, and Oracle implementation methodologies. Holding a B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering, he brings invaluable insights to Berger Paints India.

Kaustubh Dabral (Global Chief Information Officer, Dabur India Limited): With over 20 years of diverse experience, Kaustubh Dabral is a master planner and executor, leading Dabur’s digital transformation. His track record includes spearheading projects across multiple Fortune companies, ensuring high-impact technological solutions in various functional domains.

Sreenivasulu A. (Chief Information Officer, FocalCXM): Sreenivasulu A., currently serving as the Chief Information Officer at FocalCXM in Hyderabad, India, brings over two decades of experience. His proficiency in Salesforce.com and process improvement has led to significant advancements in customer experience management solutions.

Gaurav Khurana (Chief Information Officer, Shubham Housing Development Finance Company): Khurana, with 22+ years of expertise, leads technology initiatives in lending and life insurance domains. His proficiency in business process re-engineering and project management drives successful implementations and operational excellence.

Hitesh Singla (Co-Founder & CIO, Square Yards): With 22+ years of experience, Hitesh Singla pioneers disruption in the real estate sector. At Square Yards, he leverages technology to create India’s largest real estate aggregator, transforming the industry with transparency and professionalism.

Anuj Nangpal (CEO, WorkCtrl, & CIO, Smartworks): An accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience, Anuj Nangpal’s expertise spans tech investing, investment banking, and corporate development. At WorkCtrl and Smartworks, he curates experiences for the future of workspaces and drives innovation in workspace management.

Harnath Babu (Partner & Chief Information Officer, KPMG India): Harnath Babu, located in Gurgaon, India, is a visionary leader with over two decades of experience in driving innovation and digitization. As KPMG India’s CIO, he spearheads disruptive technologies, innovative product development, and IT operations, delivering transformative solutions for clients globally.

Rucha Nanavati (Chief Information Officer, Mahindra Group): With 20 years of experience, Rucha Nanavati is a transformation leader known for delivering successful projects through cross-functional teams. At Mahindra Group, she leads IT strategy, optimization, and global sourcing, driving excellence in the tech industry.

Abhishek Ravi (Chief Information Officer, Dream11): Abhishek Ravi brings two decades of experience in consumer Internet products to Dream11, India’s leading fantasy sports platform. His focus on providing excellent user experiences has propelled Dream11 to become the world’s largest fantasy cricket & football game.

Manish Tiwari (Chief Information Officer, Fractal): A result-driven cybersecurity professional, Manish Tiwari brings over 20 years of experience in information security and information operations. As Global CIO of Fractal, he drives engagements around trusted cloud technologies, managing IT risks effectively. 

Hiren Mehta (Chief Information Officer, PlanCover.com): With over two decades of experience in software development and consulting, Hiren Mehta serves as the Chief Information Officer at PlanCover.com, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He specializes in leveraging technology and analytics to provide customized, transparent insurance solutions for businesses, impacting diverse areas such as employee health, data privacy, and internet fraud.

Shailendra Tiwari (Chief Information Officer, Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Ltd.): Shailendra Tiwari, a seasoned IT professional with 20 years of experience, specializes in enterprise IT solutions for the process and manufacturing industries. His expertise in SAP S4 HANA implementation and business intelligence systems enhances productivity and operational efficiency.

Vinay Kumar (Chief Information Officer, McDonald’s India – North & East): With over 20 years of expertise, Vinay Kumar, located in the Greater Delhi Area, specializes in managing IT across various domains, from FMCG to retail. As CIO at McDonald’s India, his strategic vision and technological prowess drive digital innovation, enhancing consumer and employee experiences.

Anand V. (APAC CIO, Randstad): With a rich background spanning over 20 years, Anand V., based in Bengaluru, India, is known for challenging the status quo and driving transformative programs. As CIO at Randstad, his expertise in delivering innovative technology solutions and fostering organizational capability fuels digital transformation and strategic consulting.

Sudesh Agarwal (Chief Information Officer, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited): Sudesh Agarwal, based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, brings over two decades of experience in driving technology innovation. As the CIO at Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, he leads digital transformation initiatives, leveraging cloud computing, ERP implementation, and cybersecurity to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

Shashwat Singh (Chief Information Officer, BoAt): With a stellar track record spanning 19 years in leading digital transformation at FMCG majors, Shashwat Singh now spearheads technology initiatives at boAt, India’s top audio and wearables brand. His prowess in formulating long and short-term tech strategies has earned him accolades like the Young CIO of the Year 2021 and Asia’s 100 Power Leader in Technology.

Varundeep Kaur (Chief Information Officer, Spice Money): Varundeep Kaur, located in Chandigarh, India, is a versatile CIO with over 19 years of expertise in financial services, telecom, and enterprise VAS. At Spice Money, she leads technology initiatives, driving strategic and operational excellence through innovative solutions and leadership in BI & DWH implementations.

Dr. Nikhil Paul (Chief Technology and Information Officer, 6D Technologies): With 19+ years of experience, Dr. Nikhil Paul leads technology and information initiatives at 6D Technologies, based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. His expertise in telecom innovations and global standards commitment drives digital transformation, positioning 6D Technologies as a challenger brand in the telecom landscape.

Parna Ghosh (Chief Information Officer, Uno Minda): Parna Ghosh, with 17+ years of experience, spearheads IT strategies at Uno Minda in Delhi, India. He specializes in driving IT projects for organizational growth, information security, and business KPIs, with a focus on leadership and innovation.

Shruti Kashyap (CIO, Hindustan Unilever – South Asia): With 17+ years of experience, Shruti Kashyap, operating from Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, leads digital transformation initiatives at Unilever. Her passion for innovation and purpose-driven technology has fueled successful global projects, driving brand strength and market expansion.

Ajai Kumar (CIO, DE-CIX Interwire): With 15+ years of experience, Ajai leads technical operations at DE-CIX Interwire. Expertise in IPv4/IPv6 routing, network management, and open-source tool implementation. Ajai’s experience at NIXI highlights his customer-centric approach and technical leadership, ensuring customer satisfaction.

Vivek Agrawal (Chief Information Officer, IndiaMART): Vivek Agrawal, based in India, is a seasoned CIO with over 14 years of expertise in leading digital transformation and innovation at IndiaMART, India’s largest online B2B marketplace. He excels in driving efficiency through data-driven solutions, fostering team excellence, and ensuring business growth.

Vishwa Mohan (Chief Information Officer, Physicswalla): Bringing over 13 years of experience,  Vishwa Mohan is currently driving technological innovation at Physics Wallah. Having honed his skills at industry giants like LinkedIn, Walmart, and PayPal, he excels in scaling systems and building distributed systems. Mohan’s dedication to imparting knowledge and empowering learners makes him a standout figure in the tech education landscape.

Raj Dogra (Chief Information Officer, UpGrad): With a rich background in IT strategy, global project management, and automation, Dogra brings over 13 years of expertise to upGrad, a prominent online education platform. His ability to devise IT strategies that enhance productivity and deliver projects of excellent quality has earned him recognition as a CXO Excellence Award winner and a Business Transformation Leader.

These CIOs represent a cohort of industry leaders driving innovation and shaping the future of technology-driven enterprises. With their wealth of experience and commitment to excellence, they continue to inspire and lead in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

*This article is written by Priya Kumar, Lead Journalist at Indian Startup Times