Prof. Phatak has been associated with IIT Bombay since 1971, where he has served in various positions including as the Head of Kanwal Rekhi School of Information Technology, Subrao Nilekani Chair and the Head of Computer Science Department. He created the IT incubator to foster innovation, which has now flourished as the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE). He also started the country's first interactive distance learning program using VSATs and launching MOOCs through IIT BombayX. He is regarded as the pioneer of smart card usage in financial transactions in India.

The first computer Prof. Phatak worked on was a Minsk II computer from the USSR when he was a Masters student in IIT Bombay.

Professional Career: Professor at IIT Bombay

Education: PhD & MTech from IIT Bombay, BE from SGSITS Indore

Awards/Recognition: Padma Shri, Lifetime Achievement Award by IIT Bombay, Fellow of Computer Society of India