Member
Chairman, CMR Group of Institutions & CMR University Former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Dr. K.C. Ramamurthy is a distinguished public servant, visionary educationist, and institution builder who currently serves as the Chairman of CMR Group of Institutions and CMR University. With over three decades of service in civil administration and education, his leadership is rooted in values of integrity, excellence, and public good.
A postgraduate in Economics and Political Science, Dr. Ramamurthy began his career as a lecturer before joining the Karnataka Administrative Service and subsequently, the Indian Police Service (IPS). Over a decorated 32-year career in the IPS, he held key leadership positions including Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety, Additional Commissioner of Police, and Inspector General of Police. His tenure was marked by reforms in policing, strategic crisis management, and public trust-building. He remains one of the few officers to have served in all major wings of Bengaluru’s police administration, law and order, crime, traffic, security, and armed reserve. He was conferred the President’s Meritorious Medal for his outstanding service to the nation.
Dr. Ramamurthy’s administrative acumen extended well beyond policing. As Commissioner of Kannada and Culture, he introduced landmark cultural initiatives and led state delegations to international conferences. As Registrar of Bangalore University, he played a pivotal role in its five-star accreditation from NAAC and successfully hosted the 90th Indian Science Congress, inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India and addressed by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He later led KEONICS as Managing Director, streamlining governance and financial discipline. In the field of youth development and sports, he established over 3,000 youth clubs across Karnataka, developed sports infrastructure in rural areas, and led Indian delegations to major international sporting events, including the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2016, Dr. Ramamurthy served on several key parliamentary committees, including Education, Urban Development, Industry, and Human Resource Development. He was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Papers Laid on the Table and made notable interventions on education reforms, online fraud, rural sports, and policy issues concerning youth and cultural development. During his term, he recorded 98% attendance and actively participated in debates, raising issues of national and state importance.
Inspired by the philanthropic vision of his father, the late Shri Chikka Muniyappa Reddy (CMR), Dr. Ramamurthy co-founded the CMR Jnanadhara Trust alongside Dr. Sabitha Ramamurthy, with the aim of providing inclusive, values-based education. Today, the Trust has grown into the CMR Group of Institutions, encompassing over twenty institutions, 1,500+ faculty, and more than 20,000 students from India and 58 countries, offering programmes from Montessori to doctoral levels across diverse disciplines.
As Chairman of CMR University, Dr. Ramamurthy has been instrumental in shaping the University’s vision as a forward-looking, interdisciplinary institution focused on creative thinking, industry relevance, and social responsibility. Under his leadership, the University has seen the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the international-standard Lakeside Campus at Bagalur, as well as cricket and football stadiums to foster a vibrant sports culture. His commitment to the arts has led to the creation of five modern auditoriums across Bengaluru.
He continues to champion educational excellence, sustainability, and nation-building. His contributions have been recognised with several honours, including the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award, Kempegowda Award, and Citizen Extraordinaire by Rotary Club (2024). In recognition of his lifelong service and impact, he was conferred an honorary doctorate in 2022.
Dr. Ramamurthy is widely respected for his erudition, humility, and leadership. As an ardent listener and effective communicator, he brings people together with empathy and conviction. Alongside Dr. Sabitha Ramamurthy, Chancellor of CMR University, he continues to guide the CMR Group’s mission of shaping socially conscious leaders equipped to drive positive global change.
