The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) hosted the inaugural award ceremony of the ‘Professor Jaswant G. Krishnayya Merit Scholarship’, instituted by Mr. Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys and Catamaran, and former Chairperson, Board of Governors of IIMA, to support academic excellence at IIMA. The scholarship honours Professor Jaswant G. Krishnayya, one of IIMA’s founding faculty members and a pioneer in computer science, decision sciences, and management systems who played a formative role in shaping the academic rigour of the Institute.

The event, held at the iconic Ravi J. Mathai Auditorium at IIM Ahmedabad, was graced by Mr. Narayana Murthy, Founder, Infosys and Catamaran; Professor Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA; Mr. MD Ranganath, Chairman, Catamaran, and IIMA alumnus (PGP 1991); Professor Subhash Bhatnagar, former faculty member at IIMA, and IIMA alumnus (PGP 1970); Ms. Chhavi Moodgal, CEO, IIM Ahmedabad Endowment Fund, and IIMA alumna (PGP 2004); and leadership teams from IIMA and Catamaran, faculty members, students, alumni, and staff of IIMA.

The first scholarship and a memento were awarded today by Mr. Murthy and Prof. Bhasker to Mr. Viraj Modi, a student from the batch of 2024–2026, who scored the highest in the PGP-1.

To be awarded annually, this full-fee, inflation-protected scholarship will support a second-year student from the flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance in their first year and achieves the highest CGPA at the end of the first year of the PGP programme. The scholarship, funded by Mr. Murthy for a period of 20 years, will fully cover the recipient’s annual tuition fee, hostel expenses, course material, and mess charges for the duration of the two-year PGP programme.

Sharing his thoughts on this occasion, Mr. Narayana Murthy said, “This scholarship is not just a tribute to a great teacher, but a way to pass forward the values he stood for— intellectual discipline, curiosity, and humility. It is my privilege to honour Professor Krishnayya by supporting bright young minds at IIMA, and I hope this initiative encourages others to remember those who shaped their paths.”

Speaking at the event, Professor Bharat Bhasker said, “Professor Krishnayya was one of the earliest torchbearers of computing at IIMA — a pioneer whose work shaped the foundations of 

systems thinking at the Institute. To see Mr. Narayana Murthy —once his mentee, now a global leader — come back to honour that legacy through a 20-year scholarship is deeply moving. This gesture exemplifies how enduring gratitude can translate into enduring impact, fortifying the academic values that defined one’s own journey. I am confident that it will inspire our students to strive for the highest standards of performance and integrity.”

During the event, Professor Subhash Bhatnagar, a former faculty member at IIMA, shared his heartfelt reflections on his time with Professor Krishnayya. The evening also featured a pre-recorded conversation between Professor Krishnayya and Mr. MD Ranganath.

Mr. Viraj Modi, the first recipient of this scholarship, shared, “Receiving this scholarship is a humbling moment and a source of immense encouragement. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Narayana Murthy, Catamaran Ventures, and the IIM Ahmedabad Endowment Fund for this honour. It motivates me to pursue my goals with greater conviction and to uphold the values of integrity, impact, and academic excellence that this recognition stands for.”

The event culminated with a fireside chat between Mr. Narayana Murthy and Prof. Bharat Bhasker, moderated by Mr. MD Ranganath, which gave participants key insights on leadership and the pursuit of organisational excellence. Mr. Narayana Murthy also participated in a question-and-answer session with IIMA students, during which he shared his insights and offered valuable guidance to them.

The IIMA Endowment Fund (IIMAEF), the Institute’s fundraising and philanthropic arm, played a key facilitative role in shaping this partnership. This initiative aligns with IIMAEF’s mission to mobilise long-term support for IIMA’s priorities — from scholarships and research chairs to infrastructure and global outreach.