Rajiv Kumar was a Chief Scientist and Head of Tata Chemicals Innovation Centre (TCIC). Till recently, he served as a Consultant to Tata Chemicals. Before joining Tata Chemicals, he worked at National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune for more than 26 years. He has led several new technology development programs that resulted into are first-to-India/world innovative products and solutions.

Currently, he teaches innovation and technology management to the students of Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune. He has received ChemCon Distinguished Scientist award 2008, Dr. K.G. Naik Gold medal award for excellence in Chemical Sciences and Technology for 2003, Best Scientist of the Year Award of NCL Research Foundation in 1997 and Young Scientist Award, Catalysis Society of India in 1994.

He has around 200 papers published in scientific journals and more than 80 patents to his credit.