Ms. Achanta Rajyalakshmi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fashion Management Studies at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad. She began her teaching career in 2002 and has 24 years of academic and teaching experience, with expertise in Finance, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship. She holds an MBA and an MPhil and is currently pursuing a PhD in Entrepreneurship. She joined NIFT in 2009 and teaches finance, accounting, and entrepreneurship at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Before joining NIFT, she held academic positions at ICFAI University and the Manipal Education Group.
 

Her research interests focus on entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial development, handloom and craft-based enterprises, financial inclusion, sustainability, and innovation. Her doctoral research examines entrepreneurial engagement among handloom weavers, particularly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. She has presented and published research papers at national ,international conferences and academic forums.

In addition to teaching and research, Ms. Rajyalakshmi has contributed extensively to student development, academic administration, continuing education, mentoring, and industry engagement. She served as  Student Development Activity  Coordinator  from 2014 to 2017, Facilitator for the Continuing Education Programme from 2018 to  2023, and Centre Coordinator for Fashion Management Studies (FMS) from 2023 to 2026.