Upendra Kachru is an eminent Indian academic, author, industrial leader, and innovation strategist with a legacy of pioneering work in sustainable design, rural transformation, technology assessment, and management thought leadership. With a distinguished career spanning government, academia, and the private sector, he has consistently advanced the frontiers of knowledge and development in India.

Leadership in Industry and Nation-Building

CEO of Maruti Ltd.
Played a central role in the liquidation and transition of the original Maruti Ltd., laying the groundwork for its nationalization.

Interim CEO, Maruti Udyog Ltd. (1981)
Appointed by the Government of India during the formation of Maruti Udyog Ltd., he operated in the Director’s scale, leading strategic planning, operations, and institutional systems during a defining phase of India’s automotive revolution.

Managing Director, H.P. Pelzer (India) Ltd.
Led this Indo-German joint venture in the automotive sector, focusing on advanced materials and manufacturing technologies.

Pioneering Projects and Innovations

Solar Passive Housing (Nehru Nagar, Delhi)
Designed and executed India’s first successful solar passive housing complex, a landmark project in energy-efficient architecture supported by the Department of Science & Technology and CPWD.

Heated Biogas Systems (Canada-Funded)
Initiated and led India’s first heated biogas digester project, supported by Canadian agencies and later followed by a second USAID-funded initiative. His work included international research collaboration at Utah State University.

Envelope Conditioning (Original Concept)
Introduced the revolutionary concept of Envelope Conditioning, integrating passive design and energy management to improve indoor comfort in buildings without active HVAC systems.

Technology Consultant to CSIR
Engaged as a consultant to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to evaluate emerging technologies with national impact potential.

Vertical Storm-Drainage System (VSS)
Developed the Groundwater Replenishment Tube (GRT) and the Vertical Storm-Drainage System to mitigate urban waterlogging and replenish groundwater tables using passive systems.

Village Satellite Theatre (VST)
Conceived and developed the Village Satellite Theatre – a unique, scalable model to integrate rural marketing, media outreach, and social development using satellite technology and Panchayat-level infrastructure.

Academic and Literary Contributions

Senior Professor, Fore School of Management, New Delhi
Taught and mentored future leaders in the fields of Strategic Management, Innovation, and International Business.

Author of Over 60 Books
A prolific writer, Upendra Kachru has authored more than 60 books, including custom-published works and foundational texts in business and policy. His notable works include:

– India: Land of a Billion Entrepreneurs
– History of a Tomorrow (2025)
– Extreme Turbulence – India at the Crossroad
– Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases
– Production and Operations Management
– Exploring the Supply Chain: Theory and Practice
– Inventory Control Management

Vision and Legacy

Upendra Kachru’s career reflects a rare blend of practical innovation, scholarly depth, and public service. His contributions—from transforming India’s automobile landscape to reimagining sustainable development and empowering rural communities—continue to inspire new generations of technologists, entrepreneurs, and thinkers. With a commitment to progress and intellectual curiosity, he remains a guiding force in shaping India’s future.