In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global academic community, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The action, which will take effect in the 2025–26 academic year, prohibits the Ivy League university from enrolling new international students—a cohort that has historically comprised over a quarter of its student body.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the ban stems from Harvard’s alleged refusal to cooperate with federal authorities on cases involving foreign students and its purported inaction on campus antisemitism. The policy change affects nearly 6,800 students from abroad, many of whom now face deportation or must transfer to other institutions. It also freezes over $2 billion in federal research funding and threatens Harvard’s tax-exempt status.

Harvard University has fiercely opposed the decision, calling it “retaliatory” and a direct threat to academic freedom. In response, the university has allowed international admits to consider offers from other institutions abroad—an unprecedented concession underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The move has drawn criticism globally. Australian Ambassador to the U.S., Kevin Rudd, described it as “distressing,” while education experts warn that it may push future global talent toward more welcoming countries like Canada, the UK, or Australia.

But this is more than just a policy battle—it’s a potential rupture in the pipeline of future global leadership. Over the decades, Harvard has produced a vast array of CEOs, especially from India, who’ve gone on to lead some of the world’s most powerful companies. The decision to limit access now could drastically alter the shape of tomorrow’s corporate leadership.

Harvard alumni who became global CEOs

Here’s a look at some of the most influential Indian and Indian-origin CEOs who once studied at Harvard and who today stand as testimony to the power of international education:

1. Anand Mahindra - Chairman, Mahindra Group

An HBS graduate, Mahindra has transformed his family-run business into a global conglomerate with interests in automotive, finance, and IT.

2. Ratan Tata - Former Chairman, Tata Group

A graduate of the Advanced Management Program at HBS, Tata has long been regarded as one of India’s most visionary industrialists.

3. Nitin Nohria - Former Dean, Harvard Business School

An academic and business strategist, Nohria has been instrumental in shaping the leadership curriculum at Harvard and is now involved in multiple corporate boards.

4. Karan Bilimoria - Founder, Cobra Beer & Chancellor, University of Birmingham

An HBS alum and British Indian entrepreneur, Bilimoria is a peer in the UK House of Lords and a vocal advocate for global education.

5. Meera Sanyal - Former CEO, Royal Bank of Scotland India

An HBS graduate, Sanyal was one of the most respected figures in Indian banking and also ran for political office with a reformist agenda.

6. Ashish Nanda - Former Director, IIM Ahmedabad

Nanda earned his doctorate from HBS and returned to India to lead one of its premier business schools, promoting global academic standards.

7. Roshni Nadar Malhotra - Chairperson, HCLTech

Though she completed executive education at HBS, Roshni represents a growing wave of Indian women leaders influenced by international exposure.

8. Indira Nooyi - Former CEO, PepsiCo

Although Nooyi’s primary degree was from Yale, she attended executive programs at Harvard and remains closely associated with its alumni network.

9. Vikram Pandit - Former CEO, Citigroup

Pandit completed his MBA and PhD in finance in the U.S. and has since taken part in Harvard-led executive dialogues on leadership.

10. Ajay Banga - President, World Bank; Former CEO, Mastercard

A graduate of Harvard’s executive programs, Banga has had a significant global influence, particularly in fintech and economic policy.

11. Deep Nishar - Managing Director, General Catalyst; Former SVP, LinkedIn

A Harvard MBA, Nishar has shaped the technology ecosystem both in Silicon Valley and India through investment and advisory roles.

12. Dev Ittycheria - CEO, MongoDB

An HBS alumnus of Indian origin, Ittycheria has taken MongoDB from a startup to a billion-dollar enterprise.

13. Shantanu Narayen - CEO, Adobe Systems

While not a full-time degree holder from Harvard, Narayen has been actively involved with Harvard forums and global leadership panels hosted by the university.

14. Raghuram Rajan - Former RBI Governor; Professor, University of Chicago

Although Rajan earned his MBA at IIM-A, he has been a visiting faculty at HBS and participated in multiple Harvard-led economic initiatives.

15. Harish Manwani - Former COO, Unilever

An HBS graduate, Manwani served in top leadership at Unilever and now sits on boards of companies such as Qualcomm and Whirlpool.

These leaders are not just successful alumni—they are case studies in the global talent that institutions like Harvard attract, nurture, and launch into world leadership. Their achievements underline the necessity of maintaining open educational borders.

If future Anand Mahindras or Ratan Tatas are blocked from setting foot on American soil for education, it won’t just be Harvard that loses—it will be the world!