# Distinguished Alumni Award
**Source**: https://www.iitk.ac.in/dora/da-award
**Parent**: https://www.iitk.ac.in/dora/alumni-profile
## Distinguished Alumni Award
### About the Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA), started in 1989, is the highest award given by IIT Kanpur to its alumni in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Every year, the institute works with its alumni to honour individuals who have made a mark in their respective fields. They are selected for the award based on specific meritorious services on behalf of the quality and advancement of IITK, distinguished accomplishments in business and professional life and/or distinguished human service in community affairs.\
Nominations can be made for outstanding achievements in various pursuits under the following categories:
- Academic Excellence
- Professional Excellence
- Entrepreneurship and Management
- Any other activity pertaining to the service of Humanity at large.
### Evaluation Committee
- Director, IIT Kanpur as the Chairman.
- One Past Distinguished Alumni Awardee (Entrepreneurship Excellence) as a Member.
- One Past Distinguished Alumni Awardee (Management Excellence) as a Member.
- Faculty member, IIT Kanpur (non-alumnus) as a Member.
- One Past Distinguished Alumni Awardee (Professional Excellence) as a Member.
- One Past Distinguished Alumni Awardee (Academic Excellence) as a Member.
- Dean of Students Affairs as Member.
- Secretary, Alumni Association as Member Secretary.
[Nominate for Award](https://dora.iitk.ac.in/awards/nominate/)
Award Recipients
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13 recipients found
### Prof. Venkatesan Sundaresan
(MSc2/PHY/1973)
Awarded in 2025
Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Prof-Venkatesan-Sundaresan)
### Prof. Arijit Bose
(BT/CHE/1976)
Awarded in 2025
Distinguished Engineering Professor, University of Rhode Island
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Prof-Arijit-Bose)
### Dr. Rema Padman
(BT/CHE/1981)
Awarded in 2025
Trustees Professor of Management Science and Healthcare Informatics, Carnegie Mellon University
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Dr-Rema-Padman)
### Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi (IAS Retd.)
(BT/EE/1985)
Awarded in 2025
Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/avanish-k-awasthi)
### Dr. Deepak Narula
(BT/EE/1985)
Awarded in 2025
Founder, Managing Partner, and Co-Chief Investment Officer, Metacapital Management
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Dr-Deepak-Narula)
### Shri Gyanesh Kumar
(BT/CE/1985)
Awarded in 2025
Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Shri-Gyanesh-Kumar)
### Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan
(MSc5/MTH/1986)
Awarded in 2025
Professor of Strategy, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Prof-Rishikesha-T-Krishnan)
### Shri Manish Chandra
(BT/CSE/1987)
Awarded in 2025
Founder, Board Member & Former CEO, Poshmark
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Shri-Manish-Chandra)
### Dr. Naresh Chand Gupta
(BT/CSE/1988)
Awarded in 2025
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Accuracap Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Dr-Naresh-Chand-Gupta)
### Shri Rishi Kapoor
(BT/EE/1988)
Awarded in 2025
Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, Investcorp
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Shri-Rishi-Kapoor)
### Shri Sanjay Malhotra
(BT/CSE/1989)
Awarded in 2025
Governor, Reserve Bank of India
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Mr-Sanjay-Malhotra)
### Prof Amit Agrawal
(BT/ME/1996)
Awarded in 2025
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Prof-Amit-Agrawal)
### Shri Ambuj Kumar
(BT/EE/2002)
Awarded in 2025
Founder, Fortanix and Simbian
[View Profile](https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/Shri-Ambuj-Kumar)