From Sawai Madhopur to Harvard Business School: Chitral’s Journey of Purpose, Passion, and Precision
Chitral’s story begins in the modest surroundings of Sawai Madhopur, a tier-3 town nestled in Rajasthan, best known for its wildlife sanctuary rather than its academic opportunities. Despite the limited access to resources or role models in business, an early encounter with a neighbor who studied at IIT Kanpur ignited a spark. It was the first time the idea of achieving something extraordinary through education felt tangible. That moment planted the seed for a larger vision, one that would eventually lead from a small town to one of the world’s most prestigious institutions: Harvard Business School.
Getting into IIT Kanpur, one of the most competitive engineering schools in India, was Chitral’s first major milestone. But even amidst the rigor of electrical engineering, it became clear that his curiosity extended beyond technical domains. He threw himself into campus life and went on to become the General Secretary of Media and Culture. Through this leadership role, he learned to thrive in ambiguous, people-centric environments, where success wasn’t measured by grades or formulas, but by how effectively one could drive change.
His love for problem-solving and working in fast-paced, uncertain contexts found a natural home at BCG, where he spent over two years tackling complex challenges across industries. But it wasn’t just the prestige or intellectual stimulation that defined his consulting experience. In one of his early projects, Chitral developed a digital upskilling platform for factory workers, many of whom had never used a smartphone. The transformation he witnessed, workers not only engaging with the tool but one eventually filing a patent, had a profound impact on him. It reconnected him with a long-standing passion for education and the potential it holds to empower underserved communities.
That emotional resonance compelled Chitral to take a bold step: moving from consulting to the edtech sector. He joined TeachMint, a young, fast-growing startup that aimed to bring end-to-end digitization to schools. At TeachMint, Chitral wore multiple hats. He drove product adoption and improved engagement across thousands of schools, revamped collection systems for better financial health, and worked on a fee management product tailored to Indian private schools. He later led diligence for a potential acquisition, helping the company make its first M&A attempt. This hands-on experience provided him with a deep insight into both the promise and the limitations of the Indian education ecosystem.
A recurring challenge stood out: capital. While startups in sectors like fintech or e-commerce easily attracted investment, education businesses were often overlooked or pushed to scale unsustainably. There was a mismatch between the patient capital education needed and the short-term expectations of many investors. Chitral wanted to address this issue, not just from the inside as an operator, but from a broader vantage point. That realization led him to A91 Partners, a growth-stage investment firm.
At A91, Chitral began evaluating companies across sectors, but he never lost sight of his core mission. He developed a sharper lens for identifying businesses that could grow sustainably while solving real problems. Exposure to capital allocation, founder dynamics, and long-term value creation helped crystallize his thinking. If capital could be channeled thoughtfully, it could catalyze profound, systemic change, especially in critical sectors like education.
By now, an international MBA was no longer just an academic aspiration. It had become a strategic next step, one that would combine global perspective, structured learning, and a powerful network to amplify impact. But applying to top programs like Harvard would require more than a strong resume. It required clarity, coherence, and storytelling.
This is where Admissions Gateway entered the picture. What followed was a meticulously planned application process. The result was a set of applications that didn’t just showcase accomplishments, but conveyed a sense of mission.
When interview invites came in, first from Booth, then from HBS, the preparation shifted gears. Through mock interviews, Chitral fine-tuned his delivery and developed the confidence to speak with clarity, vulnerability, and conviction.
Then came the results: admits from both Harvard Business School with $175k in financial aid, and Chicago Booth. It was validation, not just of a strong profile, but of the power of clarity, mentorship, and thoughtful storytelling.
Today, as Chitral prepares for his MBA journey, the mission remains unchanged: to reimagine how education is funded and delivered across emerging markets. The plan is to return to India, possibly through a hybrid role that combines investing with hands-on support to education entrepreneurs. There’s a clear sense of purpose, and now, a global platform to pursue it.
At Admissions Gateway, Chitral’s story is more than a success. It’s an embodiment of what can happen when potential meets guidance. It’s a reminder that great applications don’t come from manufactured narratives, but from authentic journeys, deep reflection, and the right mentorship.
To read more such stories of folks who got into their dream business schools to pursue their lifelong passion, check out our success stories.