- Father: Sivasubramaniya Nadar
- Mother: Vamasundari Devi
- Date of Birth (DOB): July 14, 1945
- Age: 78 years (as of 2024)
- Place: Moolaipozhi, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India
- Net Worth: Approx. $34 billion (as of 2024)
- Family Members: 3
- Children: Roshni Nadar Malhotra (Chairperson of HCL Technologies)
- Spouse: Kiran Nadar (Philanthropist, Art Collector)
On July 14, 1945, Shiv Nadar, the well-known Indian millionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, was born in the charming Tamil Nadu town of Moolaipozhi. Shiv, who comes from a Tamil Hindu family, attended a number of institutions in Kumbakonam, Madurai, and Trichy for his early schooling. He obtained a pre-university degree from American College in Madurai as a result of his quest for information, and he later graduated from PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
Shiv Nadar Family:
Kiran Nadar, a well-known art collector and philanthropist, is Shiv Nadar’s wife. They have a daughter together, Roshni Nadar, who is the Chairwoman of HCL at the moment.
Shiv Nadar Career:
In Pune, Shiv Nadar started his remarkable career at Cooper Engineering Ltd., a division of the Walchand Group. With friends and coworkers, he started his own business, Microcomp, motivated by his entrepreneurial drive. However, he made a big impact in 1976 when he founded HCL with a Rs. 187,000 initial investment. HCL changed from an IT hardware startup to a multinational IT organisation under his inspiring leadership.
Shiv Nadar Companies:
Shiv Nadar has founded a number of prosperous businesses as a consequence of his entrepreneurial activities. The core business, HCL Technologies, has grown to become a major worldwide supplier of IT services. In addition, he established the Shiv Nadar Foundation, a charitable group devoted to improving education in India.
Shiv Nadar Major Achievements:
The contributions Shiv Nadar has made to the IT sector are well known and appreciated. His outstanding accomplishments earned him the coveted Padma Bhushan award in 2008. Because of his unrelenting dedication to education, SSN campus of Engineering was founded in Chennai in 1996. He generously contributed HCL shares and actively participated in campus events.
Shiv Nadar declared in 2006 that he would concentrate on advancing research and establishing partnerships with international academic institutions. In 2005, he joined the executive board of the Indian School of Business, demonstrating his commitment to education outside his own schools. In 2008, he founded two Vidyagyan schools in Uttar Pradesh to educate kids from underprivileged communities after realising the need for high-quality education in rural regions.
Shiv Nadar Awards & Achievements:
Many honours and recognitions have been bestowed upon Shiv Nadar for his outstanding services. In 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Madras University in addition to the Padma Bhushan. He was recognised for his business skills when he was named the 2007 E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year (Services). He was also named one of the “48 Heroes of Philanthropy in Asia Pacific” by Forbes magazine in 2011. Shiv Nadar was listed #16 among India’s 50 most powerful individuals by India Today in 2017. He has contributed more than $1 billion to a variety of charity causes, and his philanthropic endeavours are well known.
Shiv Nadar Personal Life & Legacy:
Shiv Nadar is renowned for his commitment to philanthropy and his enthusiasm for improving India’s educational system, in addition to his professional accomplishments. Through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, he has continuously worked to raise the standard of education in the nation, earning his friends’ affectionate moniker “Magus.” The legacy of Shiv Nadar is one of social responsibility, creativity, and entrepreneurship. His persistent dedication to education and his unwavering determination to changing the IT sector have had a lasting impact on India’s development. He still serves as an inspiration to next generations of leaders and innovators as the founder and chairman emeritus of HCL Technologies.
Shiv Nadar Other Major Achievements:
In addition to starting HCL Technologies, Shiv Nadar has made important contributions to philanthropy, education, and technology. Here are a few of his most notable accomplishments:
1. Contributions to the IT Industry
Founder of HCL Technologies (1976) – became one of the biggest IT firms in India, with operations in more than 50 nations.
Pioneer in Indian IT Revolution – contributed to the development of the software and IT services sector in India during the 1980s and 1990s.
HCL Among the Top IT Companies – HCL grew into a major worldwide technology company under his direction, going up against Infosys, TCS, and Wipro.
2. Awards & Recognitions
Padma Bhushan (2008) – The third-highest civilian honour in India for philanthropic and IT efforts.
Forbes List – listed as one of the wealthiest and most powerful businessmen in India.
CNBC Business Leader Award (2011) – honoured for being a leader in technology and business.
Lifetime Achievement Award (2023) – recognised for his services to business and education at the ET Corporate Excellence Awards.
3. Philanthropic Achievements (Shiv Nadar Foundation)
Established Shiv Nadar University (2011) – one of India’s best private universities.
Founded SSN College of Engineering (1996) – among Tamil Nadu’s top private engineering schools.
VidyaGyan Leadership Academy – offers gifted yet disadvantaged kids in rural India free education.
Donated Billions to Education –In social welfare and education, more over $1 billion was donated.
Legacy & Impact
Beyond his economic accomplishments, Shiv Nadar changed Indian IT, made educational investments, and rose to prominence as a leading philanthropist in India. Millions of professionals and students throughout the world are still impacted by his work.
