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 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 overseas Education Centre launched  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 - 2008)   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