Leaders

The automotive industry is one of the most vital pillars of India’s economy, driving innovation, employment, exports, and national mobility. It is a sector where safety, sustainability, and technical precision constantly intersect with business pressures and global competition. In this challenging arena, where leadership demands both brilliance and resilience, Rashmi Urdhwareshe has emerged as a trailblazing force.

Born in Nagpur and graduated from Visvesvaraya Regional College of Engineering, she stepped into the automotive world in 1983 as a trainee engineer at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune.

Over the next four decades, she rose through the ranks to become the organization's Director in 2014, steering the organization to global recognition before retiring in 2020.

Armed with a master’s degree in Electronics & Telecommunication, along with a Diploma in Corporate Directorship and Six Sigma Black Belt, Rashmi now brings her expertise to corporate boardrooms.

As Independent Director at STL Sterling Tools and on the boards of several leading automotive companies, including Pinnacle Industries and Pinnacle Mobility Solutions; Uno Minda Ltd. and its group companies; Addison and Co.; Bimetal Bearings; Simpson and Co.; Sterling Gtake Electric Mobility; and ZF Commercial Vehicle Controls, she continues to guide the industry’s transformation towards sustainable mobility.

Honoured with numerous awards, including the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019 from the President of India, Dr Rashmi embodies excellence in engineering, leadership, and governance.

What led your foray into the automotive industry? What were some of the early roles you played within the automotive industry?

I entered the automotive industry almost by coincidence. A friend was working at ARAI, and when I asked her what a woman engineer was doing there, she explained the opportunities in instrumentation development.

That sparked my curiosity. Around the same time, while I was doing my post-graduation, ARAI advertised for trainee engineers with an electronics background. I applied, and that decision changed my life.

Initially, my role was in instrumentation for lab testing and vehicle trials, but soon I got the chance to lead India’s first electronic fuel injection project, which was a real breakthrough in electronics for the automotive sector. From there, my work expanded into vehicular controls, CNG systems, safety technologies, and developing Bharat Stage I emission regulations.

I also gained international exposure through UNDP Fellowship in the UK & Germany, which deepened my expertise in instrumentation. Over time, I took on quality leadership at ARAI and later moved into electric mobility and advanced regulatory frameworks.

You have been in the automotive sector for 40+years. How has your expertise evolved?

I had the opportunity to handle various laboratories at ARAI, and over time, the government also began looking at ARAI as its technical support wing. I was deeply involved in standards and regulations, working as Member Secretary for the standards-making body, coordinating with industry, other test agencies, and government committees. That responsibility gradually grew into a significant leadership role.

Across my 40+ years, I learned to balance the government’s regulatory expectations with the technology needs of the Indian automotive industry. The industry, being cost-sensitive, often demanded frugal engineering, optimization, and better fuel economy, and later transitioned toward electric mobility. I worked closely on these shifts to support both innovation and policy.

What key responsibilities do you shoulder as the Independent Director at the companies?

I serve as an independent director on 11 companies, ranging from OEMs like Pinnacle and EKA Mobility to leading component manufacturers such as Uno Minda and its group companies.

My role centers on governance, but I also contribute to shaping technology policies and roadmaps. Many of these companies have strong legacies in diesel and mechanical engineering, but they are now transitioning toward sustainable mobility, electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel systems, and advanced safety technologies.

I guide and mentor them in areas like risk management, technology strategy, leadership development, and building intellectual property.

What’s your leadership philosophy for continued organizational success?

I focus on leveraging the strengths these companies already have. One of them is over a century old and carry strong legacies with in-house technologies. The idea is to nurture those strengths, build IP, and at the same time prepare them for the future, whether that’s through organic growth or inorganic moves like the right mergers and acquisitions, and creating global outreach.

I also focus on strong governance principles. I put a lot of emphasis on diversity and inclusion, making sure it’s embedded not just at the board level but also across operations. Further, financial and regulatory compliance remains a key responsibility.

How is the Indian automotive sector evolving? Which trends and innovations will shape the industry’s future?

AI will dominate how we use and manage data. The industry is clearly moving towards connected, autonomous, electric, and sustainable mobility. Safety will also be a critical focus. Many countries are already working towards “Vision Zero,” a future with zero road fatalities, and India too must adopt an integrated approach combining vehicle design, infrastructure, enforcement, and public awareness.

Another shift I see is from passive safety to active safety systems that prevent accidents rather than focusing merely on occupant protection when an accident happens. On a larger scale, India is positioning itself as a global leader in manufacturing excellence. To achieve that, we need stronger supply chains and deeper innovation across the business ecosystem.

Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Independent Director, Uno Minda Group

Rashmi Urdhwareshe is a distinguished technocrat and leader in India’s automotive industry with over four decades of experience in R&D, safety, and sustainable mobility. An electronics engineer with a master’s in Electronics & Telecommunication, she began her career at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in 1983, rising to become its Director in 2014. Under her leadership, ARAI established key facilities in e-mobility, homologation, and technology, strengthening India’s global presence.