Ila Lumba was born on October 29, 1955, in Ghana, Africa. As the daughter of an Indian diplomat, she spent the first 18 years of her life living in various countries where her parents were posted.

She graduated from Miranda House, Delhi University, in 1976.

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In 1977, Ila began working in the travel industry in New Delhi, with notable assignments at Govan Travels, Taj Hotels, the French Embassy in New Delhi, and The Neemrana Hotels.

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Currently, she resides on a farm on the outskirts of New Delhi, where she runs a charitable education society that offers free after-school tutoring to children in nearby villages. Ila is married to Shakti Lumba, a former commercial aviation pilot.