Dr Emandi Sankara Rao

Dr. Emandi Sankara Rao (Dr. ESR) was born and brought up in Visakhapatnam, the city of Destiny on the East Coast of India in Andhra Pradesh. Had his primary education at St.Aloysius School and secondary education Matriculation at V T College in 1974 and then went to prestigious Mrs. AVN College to do his Intermediate during 1974-76. Having an interest in engineering & technology, had done graduation in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from the reputed College of Engineering, Andhra University.

In B.E he had designed and developed an innovative project in those days on 2716 EPROM programmer using the 8080 microprocessor and 8255 PIA along with his Electronics & Communications Engineering teammates in the ECE Department instead of his parent Electrical Department Branch. With the introduction of GATE in 1983 and after passing the first GATE exam went for a post-graduation in M.Tech Reliability Engineering, a new specialization offered at IIT Kharagpur, and had done a project in DRDO-NSTL on Torpedos recorder systems reliability and maintainability in 1984. After passing from IIT Kharagpur, served for 10 years in Telecom Systems and Power Systems manufacturing sectors and then again went to academics with a passion for research and joined IIT Bombay and had done Doctoral degree Ph.D on Telecom Infrastructure Services Project Finance & Technology titled " Techno-Economic Framework For Sensitivity & Risk Analysis Towards Network Effectiveness " using the Stochastic and AI-ANN simulation models on International Digital Telecom Services Networks having a innovative technological combination of PCM TDM Class 5 Switching Systems and transmission through evoloving IP Networks and linking the networks through Satellite C-Band transponders due to shortage of Optical Fibre in 2002. While persuing Ph.D he has also done PGDBA from Pondicherry Central University in year 2002 when serving in IDBI & IDFC.

Subsequently in the last 25 years migrated into Developmental Banking & Finance Sector and served in prestigious Govt of India, All India Development Financial Institutions at various levels in IDBI, IDFC Group, IIFCL Group and superannuated as MD & CEO of IFCI Group Ltd in 2020 and had an opportunity to be in Infrastructure & Industry, Banking & Finance, Equity & Debt Funds and CSR sectors. For last 10 years had served as Whole Time Director at Board Level Management and Institutional Development. Also served as Chairman of Board of Governors of reputed Business Schools MDI Gurgaon & Mushidabad and ILD Jaipur.

Academics Exposure:

Academics from prestigious National Educational Institutions platforms viz:

  • IIT - Bombay a Ph.D in Project Finance & Management of Asset Network Effectiveness by Risk & Sensitivity using the Stochastic & Artificial Intelligence ANN Simulation Models
  • IIT-Kharagpur - M.Tech in Systems Reliability, Risk and Quality Engg. & Management
  • Pondicherry Central University- PGDBA in Management
  • Institution of Engineers India - Chartered Engineer (Valuations)
  • Andhra University – B.E in Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Spectrum of Interests :

Business & Functional Expertise :

  • Corporate & Project Finance, Structured Finance, Investment Banking and Policy Making.
  • Domestic & Forex Resources Raising , Risk Management and IT Systems.

Innovation & Passionate Interests:

  • Startup’s Mentoring & Skill Development.
  • Innovation and Stratergy.
  • CSR Inclusive Activities and Rural Development.

Leadership & Institutional Development:

1997- 2011 at Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) and Infrastructure Development Finance Company LTD (IDFC):

  • IDBI as Deputy General Manager in Project Appraisal, Project & Corporate Finance
  • IDFC as Director Business Development, Project Finance, Structured Finance & Investment Banking

2011- 2017 at India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL): Transformed IIFCL into IIFCL Group with Subsidiaries:

  • Founder Whole-time Director & CEO of IIFCL - Infra Debt Fund (Mutual Fund) and CEO of IIFCL Projects Ltd (IPL).
  • IIFCL Nominee Director on Board of DMICDC now know as NICDC.

2017 –2020 at Industrial Finance Corporation of India Ltd (IFCI) & Subsidiaries:

  • Govt of India ACC appointed Whole Time Director and MD & CEO of IFCI.
  • Non-Exec Chairman of Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd.
  • Chairman Board of Governors of Management Development Institute and ILD Jaipur.
  • Non-Exec Chairman on Boards of IFCI Venture Funds, IFCI Factors & IFCI Infrastructure.

2021 Onwards Current Directorship :

  • Independent Director on few Boards of Infrastructure & Manufacturing sector corporates.
    • Delhi International Airport Ltd.
    • GMR Airports Infra Ltd.
    • GMR Power and Urban Infra Ltd.
    • GMR Energy Trading Limited
    • Coastal Corporation India Ltd.
    • Visakha Pharmacity Ltd.
    • Vizag Profiles Private Ltd.

Awards and Recognitions


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