Grammy Winner Chandrika Tandon Endows Rs 100 Crore for AI School at IIM Ahmedabad
The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has announced the establishment of the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence, backed by a generous endowment of Rs 100 crore from business leader, philanthropist, and Grammy Award winner Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and her husband Ranjan Tandon. This landmark initiative was formalized through a virtual Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange, witnessed by Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi and Ambassador Vinay Kwatra in the United States.
A Vision for Translational AI and Global Impact
Prof Bharat Bhasker, Director of IIMA, emphasized that the school will focus on translational AI, management-anchored research, and cross-sector partnerships. "Through its focus on translational AI, management-anchored research, and cross-sector partnerships, the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI will make a meaningful contribution to business and society, setting a global benchmark for AI research aligned with real-world impact," he stated. The school aims to address India's unique challenges through responsible AI applications, shaping how AI is developed, deployed, and governed to create enduring value.
Chandrika Tandon's Philanthropic Legacy and Motivation
Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon, an alumna of IIMA's PGP Class of 1975, expressed her pride in contributing to her alma mater. "It is an honour and privilege to be able to contribute to my beloved alma mater, IIMA, in such a pivotal area – one that I believe will redefine business and society in the years to come," she said in a statement. A renowned figure, Tandon won a Grammy in February 2025 for her album 'Triveni' and has previously established institutions like the Tandon School of Engineering at NYU and the Boyd Tandon School of Business at Madras Christian College in Chennai.
Government Support and India's AI Ambitions
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the timing of the MoU ahead of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, noting it reflects India's concrete steps toward becoming a global AI superpower under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "AI will be an enabler for powering people, progress, and the planet. India's AI leadership will not only be shaped by technology but by the strength of our institutions and human capital," he remarked. The school is expected to boost India's AI capabilities, democratize AI, create jobs, and harness AI for social good.
School's Strategic Focus and Collaborations
IIMA outlined that the school will serve as a hub for business-focused and translational AI, bringing together world-class faculty, industry leaders, policymakers, and global partners. Its research agenda will be application-led and case-based, rooted in real-world challenges, with a goal to translate cutting-edge AI research into deployable solutions that enhance decision-making and productivity across sectors.
Key Figures and Broader Context
The event was attended by senior officials including Secretary of the Department of Higher Education Dr Vineet Joshi and Joint Secretary Purnendu Banerjee. Chandrika Tandon, a former McKinsey partner and founder of Tandon Capital Associates, is also a trustee of NYU and has served on various institutional boards. Her husband, Ranjan Tandon, an IIT Kanpur and Harvard Business School alumnus, manages the Tandon family office and has contributed to educational initiatives at Harvard, Yale, and Berklee College of Music.
