Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, who served as the seventh Chairman of the Board of Governors (from 1991 to 1997), is an Indian geneticist and administrator known for his role in India’s Green Revolution. He played a significant role in introducing and developing high-yielding varieties of wheat in India. After completing bachelor’s degrees in biology, zoology and agricultural science, he went on to complete his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in 1952 and undertake post-doctoral research at the University of Wisconsin. Dr.

Sri A. L. Mudaliar served as the sixth Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Madras, from December 1987 to January 1991. He was the son of Dr. A. L. Mudaliar, the first Chairman, and the younger brother of Dr. A. Ramachandran, the second Director of the institute.

Sri A. L. Mudaliar worked at the ICI group in several capacities before becoming its Chairman in 1976. He has also served as a non-executive director in various companies. Mr. Mudaliar also served as the Chairman of India Cements, Titan Industries and Bata India.

Sri A. Sivasailam served as the Chairman, Board of Governors, of IIT Madras from February 1981 to December 1987. Born in 1934 at Alwarkurichi, Sri A. Sivasailam was an Indian industrialist, educationist and philanthropist. He was the Chairman and Managing Director of the Chennai-based Amalgamations Group of Industries, founded by his father, Mr. S. Anantharamakrishnan. The Government of India honoured Sri A. Sivasailam for his contributions to Indian industry with the fourth highest civilian honour in the country, the Padma Shri, in 2007.

Arunachalam Murugappa Murugappa Arunachalam, also known as A. M. M.

Prof. K.T. Chandy (b. 1913), served as the third Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Madras, from 1972 to 1978. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in law from Bombay University, K. T. Chandy went on to complete his master’s degree in law from London School of Economics. He was an educationist, administrator and business executive. He was also the founder-director of Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, the first IIM. K. T. Chandy also played a significant role in the formation of Hindustan Lever Limited, which was later renamed Hindustan Unilever.

Sri Haravu Venkatanarasingha Verada Raj ‘H. V. R.’ Iengar (b. 1902) served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Madras for a period of three years, from 1969 to 1972. H. V. R. Iengar (1902-1978) was the sixth Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (b. 1887) assumed office as the first Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Madras on 1st January 1959. He served as Chairman from 1959 to 1969 for a period of 10 years and made significant contributions to the Institute during his term.

Doctor, educationist and statesman, Dr. Mudaliar made significant contributions in each of his roles.