Jawaharlal Nehru University, founded in 1969 in New Delhi as a public research institution named after India’s first Prime Minister, emphasizes social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary studies to foster critical inquiry and diverse perspectives. This blog profiles seven standout alumni whose achievements in diplomacy, finance, economics, politics, activism, and public administration reflect the university’s legacy of intellectual exploration and societal impact—read on to discover their inspiring stories.
S. Jaishankar
| Date of Birth | January 9, 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Delhi, India |
| Education | – B.A. in Chemistry from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi – M.A. in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University – M.Phil. and Ph.D. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University |
| Known For | – Current Minister of External Affairs of India since 2019, the first career diplomat to hold the position – Served as Foreign Secretary of India from 2015 to 2018, managing key diplomatic relations – Held ambassadorships in the United States, China, and the Czech Republic, advancing India’s global engagements – Authored “The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World” in 2020, outlining India’s foreign policy vision – Played a pivotal role in negotiating the Indo-US civil nuclear deal and resolving the Doklam standoff with China |
| Awards and Honors | – Padma Shri in 2019 for contributions to civil service – Distinguished Alumni Award from Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2019 – Recognized in global diplomacy forums for shaping India’s modern foreign policy |
Nirmala Sitharaman
| Date of Birth | August 18, 1959 |
| Place of Birth | Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Education | – B.A. in Economics from Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, Tiruchirappalli – M.A. in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University – M.Phil. in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University |
| Known For | – Current Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs since 2019, first full-time woman Finance Minister – Presented the Union Budget eight consecutive times as of 2025, second only to Morarji Desai – Served as Minister of Commerce and Industry from 2014 to 2019, promoting economic reforms – Founding member of Pranava School in Hyderabad, focusing on inclusive education – Joined Bharatiya Janata Party in 2008 and served as National Spokesperson from 2010 to 2014 |
| Awards and Honors | – Distinguished Alumnus Award from Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2019 – Featured in Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women list multiple times since 2019 – Ranked as one of the world’s most powerful women by Forbes in 2020 and 2021 |
Abhijit Banerjee
| Date of Birth | March 21, 1961 |
| Place of Birth | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Education | – B.Sc. in Economics from Presidency College, University of Calcutta in 1981 – M.A. in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University in 1983 – Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University in 1988 |
| Known For | – Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology since 2003 – Co-founder and co-director of Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) in 2003, promoting evidence-based poverty alleviation – Pioneered experimental approach to alleviating global poverty through field experiments in development economics – Co-author of books including “Poor Economics” (2011) and “Good Economics for Hard Times” (2019), influencing policy on education, health, and welfare – Served on UN panel for updating Millennium Development Goals in 2013 |
| Awards and Honors | – Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2019, shared with Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer, for experimental approach to alleviating global poverty – Infosys Prize in Social Sciences (Economics) in 2009 – Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences since 2004 – Fellow of the Econometric Society – Member of the National Academy of Sciences |
Kanhaiya Kumar
| Date of Birth | January 13, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Bihat village, Begusarai district, Bihar, India |
| Education | – B.A. in Geography from College of Commerce, Arts and Science, Patna in 2007 – M.A. in Sociology from Nalanda Open University – Ph.D. in African Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2019 |
| Known For | – President of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union from 2015 to 2016, leading protests on nationalism and free speech – Leader of All India Students Federation (AISF), student wing of Communist Party of India – Joined Indian National Congress in 2021 and appointed as AICC in-charge of National Students’ Union of India – Contested 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Northeast Delhi as Indian National Congress candidate – Delivered viral “Azadi” speech in 2016 advocating decolonization and social justice |
Sitaram Yechury
| Date of Birth | August 12, 1952 |
| Place of Birth | Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India; |
| Education | – B.A. (Hons.) in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University – PhD. in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University |
| Known For | – General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] from 2015 to 2024 – Member of CPI(M) Politburo from 1992 until 2024 – Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, West Bengal (2005–2017) – President of JNU Students’ Union, organized resistance during the Emergency (1977–78) – Key role in formation of United Front (1996), UPA government (2004), coalition-building in national politics – Acknowledged as a modernising force in CPI(M), noted for bridging ideological divides and adapting party strategy – Instrumental in shaping Left politics and alliances in contemporary India |
Maneka Gandhi
| Date of Birth | August 26, 1956 |
| Place of Birth | New Delhi, India |
| Education | – B.A. from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi – Studied German at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi |
| Known For | – Union Minister for Women and Child Development (2014–2019) – Minister of Environment and Forests (1989–1991) – Elected to Lok Sabha from Pilibhit, Aonla, and Sultanpur multiple times since 1989 – Founder and chairperson of People for Animals, India’s largest animal welfare organization – Authored books on law, environment, and animal welfare – Prominent advocate for animal rights and environmental causes |
| Awards and Honors | – Lord Erskine Award (RSPCA, 1992) – Prani Mitra Award (1996) – Lifetime Achievement Award by Venu Menon Animal Allies Foundation (1999) – Dinanath Mangeshkar Aadishakti Puraskar (2001) – Multiple “Woman of the Year” honors by various organizations |
Amitabh Kant
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1956 |
| Place of Birth | Delhi, India |
| Education | – Schooling from Modern School, Delhi – B.A. (Hons.) in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi – M.A. from Jawaharlal Nehru University |
| Known For | – G20 Sherpa of India (2022–2025) – CEO, NITI Aayog (2016–2022), leading transformative reforms in Indian public policy – Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (2014–2016) – Conceived and drove flagship campaigns like “Make in India,” “Startup India,” “Incredible India,” and “God’s Own Country” – Introduced innovations in Kerala’s tourism and fisheries sector, expanded Kozhikode Airport, and championed digital payment reforms |
| Awards and Honors | – Economic Times Policy Change Agent of the Year – Bloomberg TV Personality of the Year – NDTV Administrator of the Year – One Globe Award–2016 for Transforming Governance – Golden Peacock Award for leadership in Economic Transformation (2017) – Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship, Government of New Zealand |
Jawaharlal Nehru University’s influence extends far beyond the names covered above, as its alumni include a wide range of acclaimed figures in government, academia, arts, science, and activism. Other distinguished graduates include Baburam Bhattarai (former Prime Minister of Nepal), Ajit Seth (former Cabinet Secretary of India), top screenwriter Sanjay Chauhan, pioneering documentary filmmaker Shaunak Sen, celebrated academician Amitav Acharya, and award-winning actor Swara Bhasker, reflecting JNU’s enduring spirit of intellectual leadership and societal contribution.
Vaave helps institutions and corporate entities across the globe in realizing the power of alumni and offers strategies for engaging them. We offer a full-fledged alumni management ecosystem that helps you to leverage alumni to its fullest.
Drop in your details at hello@vaave.com & +91 91006 88850, we will get in touch with you at the drop of a hat!
