Prof. Santosh Choubey is a visionary leader, social entrepreneur, Ashoka International Fellow and education reformer who has dedicated over four decades to uplifting rural and tribal communities in India. Founder of AISECT, one of India’s largest social enterprises, he has pioneered skill development and digital literacy, impacting millions.
He established six universities to provide quality education and promote industryready skills. A prolific author, he has written over 70 books in Hindi, advancing science and technology education in regional languages. Passionate about cultural preservation, he founded initiatives like Vishwarang to promote Indian literature and art globally, leaving an indelible mark on society.
Prof. Santosh Choubey, a social entrepreneur and Ashoka International Fellow, has dedicated over four decades to uplifting millions in rural and tribal India. From pioneering social entrepreneurship initiatives to revolutionising education and championing Hindi literature, Prof. Choubey’s contributions have left an indelible mark on society.
Born with an innate passion for social transformation, Prof. Santosh Choubey pursued Electronics and Communication Engineering at NIT Bhopal. Prof. Choubey chose a path that would bridge India’s digital divide. In 1985, he founded the All India Society for Electronics and Computer Technology (AISECT), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering marginalised communities through technology-driven education, skill development, and financial inclusion. Under Prof. Choubey’s leadership, AISECT has played a pivotal role in democratising education and skilling programs across India.
His visionary approach led to the establishment of six universities, including Rabindranath Tagore University, Dr. C.V. Raman University and Scope Global Skills University. These institutions prioritise students from rural and tribal backgrounds, integrating skill-based training into academic curricula to ensure employability and industry readiness.
With a vast network of over 25,000 rural centers spanning 28 states and six union territories, AISECT has empowered 1.7 million youth through vocational training, digital literacy, and financial inclusion programs. By facilitating the creation of millions of Jan Dhan accounts, AISECT has become a catalyst for socio-economic progress in underserved regions. Beyond education, Prof. Choubey is an author and editor, he has spearheaded the promotion of scientific and technological knowledge in Hindi. His seminal book, Computer: Ek Parichay (1986), revolutionised IT education in Hindi-speaking regions, selling record copies and setting a precedent for accessible technical education.
Prof. Choubey’s editorial leadership in Electroniki Aapke Liye, India’s only Hindi magazine on electronics and information technology, has further strengthened the discourse on science and technology in regional languages. Most recently, Penguin has documented his forty-year journey within the book entitled Big Country Little Business.
A staunch advocate for cultural heritage, Prof. Choubey established the Vanmali Srijan Peeth and Tagore International Centre to preserve and promote indigenous art and literature. His flagship initiative, Vishwarang—an international literature and art festival—has positioned Indian languages and culture on the global stage through collaborations with prestigious institutions and scholars worldwide. Prof. Choubey, recognised through numerous awards including The National Innovation Award by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, SKOCH Renaissance Award and Social Entrepreneurship Award. Prof. Santosh Choubey’s unwavering commitment to education, technology, and cultural preservation continues to inspire and transform lives, proving true leadership lies in creating opportunities for others to thrive.
