KPIT Technologies Limited has announced with deep sorrow the passing of its Founder and Chairman, SB (Ravi) Pandit, who passed away on the morning of May 8, 2026, in Pune. A respected entrepreneur, visionary leader, and advocate for sustainable development, Ravi Pandit leaves behind a legacy that has shaped India’s technology, mobility, and social development landscape over the past three decades.
Mr Pandit was the Co-Founder and Chairman of KPIT Technologies, a global leader in software-defined mobility solutions with operations across 15 countries. Under his leadership, KPIT emerged as a major force in automotive engineering, delivering advanced technologies that support autonomous mobility, electrification, and clean energy initiatives worldwide. The company’s engineering solutions today power millions of vehicles across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Beyond KPIT Technologies, Mr Pandit also chaired Kirtane & Pandit Chartered Accountants (KPCA), one of the largest Indian-origin professional services firms, employing more than 1,200 professionals across multiple international markets.
Throughout his career, Ravi Pandit championed the integration of technology with social progress. He played a key role in establishing and guiding several institutions focused on public policy, sustainability, education, and community development. He co-founded organizations such as Pune International Centre and Janwani, while also supporting research and policy initiatives through the Centre for Sustainable Development at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics.
His commitment to leadership development and nation-building extended through his work as President of Jnana Prabodhini and through his involvement with leading organizations including Thermax Ltd, the World Resources Institute India, and the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India. Ravi Pandit represented Indian industry at numerous national forums and served in several leadership positions, including President of MCCIA and Chairman of the Research Council at CEERI. He also contributed extensively to policy and industrial initiatives through various Confederation of Indian Industry committees.
A strong advocate for clean energy and sustainable mobility, he was the only private-sector member of the Empowered Group for India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. His recent initiative, HRIDAY — Hydrogen Revolution for India’s Development of Agriculture & EnergY — reflected his belief in technology-driven inclusive growth and rural transformation.
Mr Pandit was a gold-medalist Chartered Accountant, an alumnus of the MIT Sloan School of Management in the United States, and recipient of honorary doctorates from several universities. He was also elected Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and co-authored the acclaimed book “Leapfrogging to Pole-Vaulting.”
