Amitav is the Founder and CEO of The Education Alliance, a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of education in Government schools. TEA works with the state governments of Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, NCT Delhi and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation on education reform initiatives.

Prior to founding The Education Alliance, Amitav was Country Director, ARK India, a UK based NGO. Amitav and his team ran several programmes focused on school leadership, English language literacy, school vouchers and school quality assesments.

Amitav worked for Bristol Myers Squibb, a Pharma company based in Princeton for 5 years. He has also been involved with his family-run food processing and real-estate businesses in Punjab since 1994.

Amitav was educated at the Doon School and went on to study Economics at St. Stephens College, Delhi University. He has an MBA from UNC Chapel Hill, USA. He sits on the board of AVPN India, Childrens Book Trust, Virmani Education Trust, CAPED, Teach for India (Delhi), The Blind Relief Association, Gargi College (Chairperson) and Shri Ram Schools. Amitav is a member of the CII Education Task Force.

Amitav is an Aspen, Ashoka and N/Core Fellow.