Every student who chooses engineering dreams of studying at a reputed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) college. To gain admission to IIT colleges, over 1.4 million students appear in challenging entrance exams such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). Notably, IIT institutes rank highly in NIRF rankings. Despite some variation depending on the course, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) graduates consistently secure high job placement rates.
However, some popular names have dropped out of IIT colleges and still become successful in life. Individuals who’ve left IIT midway have managed to carve out impressive careers for themselves, making their mark in diverse areas—from top businessmen to corporate consultants to successful lawyers.
Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani is the richest person in Asia and among the richest men in the world. Few people know that he was an IIT Bombay dropout. He dropped out of the prestigious institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Mumbai.
Ambani also enrolled for an MBA program at Stanford University but withdrew in 1980 to join his family business.
Azhar Iqubal is an Indian entrepreneur and the co-founder and chairman of the popular app Inshorts, dropped out of IIT and built a 600-crore company.
Shashvat Nakrani is the co-founder of the BharatPe app. He is one of the youngest entrepreneurs in India. Shashvat left IIT at the age of 23 to pursue his passion. He gained recognition by appearing on the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2021.
Rahul is a successful entrepreneur and the founder of Info Edge. The founder of 4B Networks and Housing.com left IIT in his final year in 2007 due to struggles in fitting in.
Coming from India, Meleveetil Damodaran is not just a corporate advisor but also a former high-ranking government representative. Currently, he graces the boards of Biocon and InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) with his presence and expertise. Pivoting from his days at IIT Madras, he decided to delve into the realm of economics, later assuming the prestigious role as chairman for the Securities and Exchange Board.
He wears two hats – one of an author and the other of a lawyer, predominantly dealing with public interest cases in India’s Supreme Court. Bhushan had a short stint at IIT, but he soon followed his heart and switched to a 2-year course specializing in Philosophy, Economics, and Political Science.
IIT Dropouts
However, some popular names have dropped out of IIT colleges and still become successful in life. Individuals who’ve left IIT midway have managed to carve out impressive careers for themselves, making their mark in diverse areas—from top businessmen to corporate consultants to successful lawyers.
Mukesh Ambani
Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani is the richest person in Asia and among the richest men in the world. Few people know that he was an IIT Bombay dropout. He dropped out of the prestigious institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Mumbai.
Ambani also enrolled for an MBA program at Stanford University but withdrew in 1980 to join his family business.
Azhar Iqubal
Azhar Iqubal is an Indian entrepreneur and the co-founder and chairman of the popular app Inshorts, dropped out of IIT and built a 600-crore company.
Shashvat Nakrani
Shashvat Nakrani is the co-founder of the BharatPe app. He is one of the youngest entrepreneurs in India. Shashvat left IIT at the age of 23 to pursue his passion. He gained recognition by appearing on the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2021.
Rahul Yadav
Rahul is a successful entrepreneur and the founder of Info Edge. The founder of 4B Networks and Housing.com left IIT in his final year in 2007 due to struggles in fitting in.
Damodaran
Coming from India, Meleveetil Damodaran is not just a corporate advisor but also a former high-ranking government representative. Currently, he graces the boards of Biocon and InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) with his presence and expertise. Pivoting from his days at IIT Madras, he decided to delve into the realm of economics, later assuming the prestigious role as chairman for the Securities and Exchange Board.
Prashant Bhushan
He wears two hats – one of an author and the other of a lawyer, predominantly dealing with public interest cases in India’s Supreme Court. Bhushan had a short stint at IIT, but he soon followed his heart and switched to a 2-year course specializing in Philosophy, Economics, and Political Science.