New Delhi: The Government of India has approved the extension of Mr Adil Zainulbhai’s tenure as Chairperson (part-time) of the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) until July 31, 2025. His term, which was due to conclude on April 30, 2025, has been extended for a further three months to ensure continuity in the Commission’s ongoing initiatives to reform and strengthen India’s civil services.
Established in 2021 under the leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister, the Capacity Building Commission plays a central role in implementing the ‘Mission Karmayogi’ – India’s ambitious program for enhancing civil service capacity, efficiency, and accountability.
A Legacy of Leadership and Reform
Mr Zainulbhai has been Chairman of the Capacity Building Commission since its inception, bringing his decades of strategic expertise and leadership to guide the transformation of governance and human capital in the public sector.
Prior to leading the CBC, he served as Chairman of the Quality Council of India, where he led efforts to institutionalize quality standards across sectors, from healthcare and education to infrastructure and industry.
A veteran management consultant, Mr Zainulbhai retired in 2014 as Chairman of McKinsey & Company, India, following a stellar 34-year global career. In India, he worked with leading business houses, public sector enterprises, and government agencies on strategy, transformation, and institutional effectiveness. Before that, he headed McKinsey’s Washington, D.C. office and was the founding partner of its Minneapolis office.
Board Positions and Thought Leadership
An influential voice in both corporate and policy circles, Shri Zainulbhai currently serves on the boards of major companies including Reliance Industries Ltd., Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Network18, Cipla, and the Piramal Foundation. He also chairs the Board of Governors at IIT Ropar, reflecting his continued commitment to education and nation-building.
He is the co-editor of “Reimagining India”, a widely acclaimed collection of essays by over 60 global thought leaders, which became a bestseller in India and internationally.
Background and Interests
Born and raised in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Mr Zainulbhai holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from IIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is deeply engaged in community development and is an avid sailing enthusiast, often spotted navigating the waters of the Mumbai harbour.
With the extension of his tenure, Mr Zainulbhai is expected to continue steering the CBC’s efforts to modernize training, enhance service delivery, and institutionalize performance standards across India’s civil service ecosystem.
