MAM
Ferzad Palia takes charge of upGrad’s new D2C play to build mass skilling into a daily habit
MUMBAI: Skilling just got serious, and perhaps even a little snackable. Edtech major upGrad has roped in Ferzad Palia to lead its freshly minted direct-to-consumer (D2C) vertical as the company bets big on always-on learning to serve India’s digital-first, byte-sized learning generation.
With a legacy in university-led programs, industry certifications and study abroad pathways, upGrad is now gearing up to make skilling a habit — not just a career intervention. The move signals the company’s next phase of growth: a high-octane, AI-fuelled ecosystem of micro-learning, personalisation, and scalable access.
“It strengthens our mission to own the entire learning journey and turns skilling into a household habit, not just a job-switch trigger. Ferzad’s deep expertise in building high-scale, high-engagement content-driven platforms will help us unlock a wider segment – combined with tech that appeals to their fast-learning patterns”, said Upgrad co-founder & chairperson Ronnie Screwvala.
In his new role, Palia will lead upGrad’s efforts to serve a new wave of learners seeking flexibility, speed and relevance. He brings more than 25 years of experience across consumer tech, media and advertising, most recently as senior EVP at JioStar (formerly Viacom18), where he played a pivotal role in scaling JioCinema. Before that, he spearheaded multiple divisions at Viacom18 including international distribution, youth media and the D2C business.
Palia, who began his career at J Walter Thompson managing Unilever’s personal care portfolio, also had a stint at CNBC-TV18.
“The opportunity to transform India’s upskilling and learning landscape at scale, is an exciting mandate. upGrad’s solid foundation and commitment to outcome-led learning provides the perfect springboard”, he said.
With the new D2C push, upGrad is looking to turn binge-watching into binge-learning— minus the guilt, and with outcomes attached.
MAM
Time brings TIME100 Next franchise to India with Reliance
List to spotlight 100 emerging leaders, gala set for December 2026 in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: It’s about time India’s next wave got a global spotlight and now, it’s on the list. New York-headquartered Time is expanding its TIME100 Next franchise to India, partnering with Reliance Industries Limited to launch TIME100 Next India, its first international extension of the rising leaders platform. The announcement was made at the Time100 Gala in New York by Jessica Sibley and Nita Mukesh Ambani, signalling a strategic push to tap into India’s growing influence across sectors.
The India edition will recognise 100 emerging leaders from the country and the global Indian diaspora, spanning business, science, sports, arts and social impact. The list will be curated by Time’s editorial team and published online, continuing the franchise’s focus on identifying individuals shaping the future.
The initiative will culminate in a gala event scheduled for December 2026 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, anchoring the platform within India’s cultural and business ecosystem.
TIME’s broader Time100 franchise has steadily expanded its global footprint since 2021 through events and impact-led initiatives. Executives noted that India’s growing pool of influential voices and innovators made it a natural next step for the platform’s international ambitions.
For Reliance, the partnership aligns with its broader push to support emerging talent and ideas on a global stage. For Time, it marks a timely bet on India not just as a market, but as a talent engine shaping the next chapter of global leadership.
