Anil Swarup
Founder Chairman, Nexus of Good; Former Secretary, School Education (2016–18) & Coal (2014–16), Government of India

Mr. Swarup is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with a distinguished career in public service. Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, he earned a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Allahabad University in 1978, where he was awarded the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for Best All-Round Student. After initially qualifying for the Indian Police Service in 1980, he joined the IAS in 1981 and was honored with the Director’s Gold Medal for Best Officer Trainee at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. Throughout his career, Mr. Swarup held key positions at both the state (Uttar Pradesh) and central government levels. As Director General in the Ministry of Labour, he designed and implemented the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, one of India’s largest health insurance schemes for the underprivileged, notable for its paperless, portable, and smart card-based system recognized by UN organizations. Later, as Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, he managed the aftermath of the coal scam, demonstrating exemplary leadership and integrity. He also served as Secretary of School Education and Literacy, where he championed public-private partnerships to enhance the quality of school education. A strategic thinker and innovative leader, Mr. Swarup has received numerous accolades, including being named a “Policy Change Agent” by The Economic Times in 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016, and being recognized as one of the 35 “Action Heroes” by India Today.

G. Balasubramanian
Former Director, CBSE

G. Balasubramanian is a renowned thought leader in Indian school education, best known for his visionary leadership and transformative contributions during his tenure at the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), where he served in various capacities, including Director (Academics) and Chief Vigilance Officer.

Starting his career as a postgraduate teacher in Chemistry, he later became the Principal of Hindu Senior Secondary School, Chennai. In 1984, he joined CBSE and led several path-breaking academic reforms. He was the architect behind innovations such as the Frontline Curriculum, the Communicative Approach to Language Teaching, the introduction of Information Technology, Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Fashion Studies, Disaster Management, Life Skills Education, and Alternatives to Homework. He has been a vocal advocate of stress-free education and pioneered initiatives to promote it across the school system.