Initial Phase (1981 - 1990)   1981 Incorporated on Dec 2, 1981. 1982 Sets up Education Centres in Bombay, Chennai Introduced Multimedia technology in education 1983 Education Centre set up in Bangalore Corporate Training programs introduced 1984 IT Consultancy services started 1985 Head Office integrated at New Delhi 1986 Software Product Distribution started under 'Insoft' brand 1987 Education Centre set up in Calcutta, Hyderabad Conceived the Franchising model of Education 1988 The birth of an NIIT-ian -- a branding for NIIT alumni 1989 Education Centre opens in Pune 1990 Created the Computer drome to provide "unlimited" computer time to students Growth Phase (1991 - 2000)   1991 Bhavishya Jyoti Scholarships launched for meritorious and socially challenged students. First overseas office set up in US Corporate Training programs started Internationally 1992 Launched GNIIT, program with Professional Practice launched Created I-Write, a revolutionary computer software for people with special needs 1993 International revenues touch Rs 50 million Achieved ISO 9001 for Tick IT for Instructional Software Exports NIIT becomes a listed company and launches a successful IPO 1994 Launched LEDA, a multimedia IT education program for Learning through Exploration, Discovery, and Adventure 1995 Revenue crosses Rs 1 billion mark NIIT becomes Microsoft's Premier Education and Training Partner Matrix Structure evolves with Geographies, Businesses and Organisations NIIT organizes Microsoft windows training program simultaneously in 4 countries on the day of the launch and becomes Microsoft's Premier Education & Training Partner Status 1996 First International Education Centre launched in October 2, 1996 in Hong Kong Launched NetVarsity, the virtual university Awarded ISO 9001 for Computer Education 1997 NIIT Education centres cross 500 mark NIIT gets Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor status NIIT becomes the first Indian company to be assessed at SEI CMM Level 5 for Software Business NIIT becomes World Economic Forum global growth company 1998 Market capitalisation crosses USD 1 billion 1999 Achieved the status of Microsoft best training partner in Asia Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand becomes NIIT Brand Ambassador NIIT bags order to train students in 371 Tamil Nadu Government schools Started the revolutionary Hole-in-the-Wall experiment for disadvantaged children 2000 Education centres crosses 2000 mark NIIT Brand Ambassador Viswanathan Anand becomes World Champ Expansion Phase (2001 - 2011)   2001 The only IT training company from Asia to feature among IDC Top 15 global IT training players Commemorates December 2, 2001 as World Computer Literacy Day NIIT trains 100,400 learners in a single day on its 20th Foundation Day Enabled revolutionary education loans for GNIIT students, along with CITIBANK and IFC NIIT Knowledge Sloutions Business becomes the first content developer in the world to be assessed at SEI-CMM 5 2002 Acquires companies - Osprey, DEI and Click2learn in the US Launched 'Planetworkz' to address the manpower needs of the growing ITeS industry Education network in China crosses the 50-Centre mark 2003 NIIT brand among the Superbrands Launched NIIT MindChampions Academy with Vishy to promote chess in schools Achieves CMMi Level 5 for software business Ranked amongst 25 “Great Places to Work” by Business World 2004 Global Solutions Business spun off into NIIT Technologies NIIT Brand Ambassador and World Rapid Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand wins Chess Oscar for the third time Created the “NIIT-Inside” model in China to implement Innovative partnership with the Chinese Universities Bioinformatics training program launched in collaboration with IIT Delhi China education network crosses 100 centre mark Industry endorsed GNIIT curriculum launched 2005 Launched Edgeineers, to boost career opportunities for engineering graduates NIIT IT Aptitude Test launched 2006 Announced entry into the financial services sector with the launch of IFBI Launched NIIT Imperia, using synchronous learning, for high quality management education with IIMs Launched NIIT Litmus, Testing & Assessment Services for IT and ITES organisations Acquired Element K, a leading provider of learning solutions in North America.  NIIT together with Element K becomes the world's largest e-Learning Content  Library 2007 Conceptualized Model District Learning Center at Chhindwara, to provide high quality IT training for graduates from semi-rural towns NIIT Brand Ambassador Viswanathan Anand becomes World Chess Champions China education network crosses 170-centre mark 2008 NIIT Uniqua, Centre for Process Excellence formed in joint venture with Genpact  to address the increasing demand for skilled workers in the business & technology services industry Net Revenue crosses Rs 1000 Crore NIIT accorded the ‘Business Superbrand 2008’status once again NIIT Brand Ambassador Viswanathan Anand becomes the undisputed World Chess Champion 2009 NIIT launched the GNIIT (IMS) program developed in association with technology partners- Cisco, CompTIA, EMC, Microsoft, and Sun with the aim of meeting the industry’s growing need for certified professionals NIIT Imperia launched “Certificate Program in International Financial Reporting Standards” to make companies IFRS ready NIIT and IBM entered into an alliance to offer training programs on IBM’s Career Education in IBM Software framework. Ushering in a new model in higher education is the not-for-profit NIIT University, established in 2009 with a vision of being the leading centre of innovation and learning in emerging areas of the Knowledge Society. Nestled in the foothills of Aravali, in Neemrana, Rajasthan, the picturesque 100 acres fully residential green campus has been developed as an institute of excellence based on the four core principles of providing industry linked, technology based, research driven, seamless education. 2010 NIIT was associated with the Govt. of Gujarat to set a new World Record of 20,480 Simultaneous Chess Players at Ahmedabad on December 24, 2010 (This unique initiative by the Government of Gujarat, Gujarat State Chess Association and NIIT aimed to popularize the game of Chess in the State) NIIT won ‘Top IT Training Company Award 2010’ for the 18th year in succession by Cybermedia publications. (NIIT has been receiving this coveted award by India’s leading IT publication, Dataquest, for the past 17 years in recognition of its talent development initiatives across the world) NIIT received the Best Learning Partner award from CISCO and Microsoft NIIT won the Franchisor of the year Award 2010 by Franchise Plus Magazine, for developing and demonstrating the best business model in the field of Information Technology Education NIIT MindChampion Viswanathan Anand became the World Chess Champion for the 4th time IGNOU & NIIT together launched Executive MBA Program for Working Professionals. NIIT Vietnam bagged the ICT GOLD MEDAL for the 5th consecutive time and ICT TOP 5 for the year 2010 NIIT USA won ASTD 2010 Award for Excellence in Workplace Learning and Performance Element K was ranked among TrainingIndustry.com's Top 20 IT Training Companies. (The 'Top 20' list recognizes the leading IT training companies based on the breadth of IT training and delivery methods offered, as well as industry leadership and innovation) NIIT USA won the Brandon Hall Silver for excellence in E-Learning Awards NIIT USA earned Gold for Excellence in Content for KFC Virtual World at Chief Learning Officer – Learning in Practice Awards, 2010 NIIT USA earned the Markie Sales Impact Award 2010 for Excellence in Marketing NIIT launched skill building initiatives to create an employable and skilled talent pool to meet requirements of the fast-paced Indian economy 2011 Launched New-age GNIIT India’s First Cloud Campus NIIT won the ‘Best Education Company to Work with’ title at the Indian Education Awards 2011. (Indian Education Awards are the most prestigious awards that recognize and felicitate Achievers and Innovators who contribute significantly towards the development of Education in India) NIIT featured in Aon Hewitt’s Top 25 list of ‘Best Employers in India-2011’ NIIT’s association with Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand was recognized as the Top Brand Ambassador Engagement at the Indian PR and Corporate Communication Awards (IPRCCA) 2011, instituted by Exchange4Media NIIT HiWEL won the prestigious MacArthur Digital Media and Learning Award. (This was an effort by MacArthur Foundation and HASTAC to find and inspire the most novel uses of new media in support of learning, NIIT HiWEL was awarded for innovative use of internet and digital technology to transform learning and knowledge creation) NIIT won Microsoft’s ‘Learning Solutions Partner of the Year’ for the third consecutive year. (This award marked a Hat-Trick by NIIT for being the ‘Best Learning Solutions Partner’ in India) NIIT USA was ranked among the Top 20 Companies in the Training Outsourcing Industry - 2010 and 2011 (NIIT has featured in this ranking since 2008) Element K won Silver in Brandon Hall for Excellence in Learning Technology NIIT USA was ranked amongst Top 10 Training & Learning Business Process Outsourcing Vendor in Black Book of Outsourcing NIIT USA won CLO Gold Excellence Award from Chief Learning Officer magazine NIIT Cognitive Arts won bronze Brandon Hall Learning Award