Pillai is the Founder President of Human Development Foundation India, a Civil Society Organisation in the National Capital Region, New Delhi.

Prior to that, he was the vice-chancellor of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi (2006–2011).

He served as vice-chairman and chairman of the University Grants Commission, Govt of India, New Delhi, during the period 2002–2006.

He was executive director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Govt of India, during the period 2000–2002.

Pillai has served as chairman and vice-chairman[1] of the University Grants Commission (UGC), director of the (NAAC),[2] Bangalore, Vice-Chancellor of the Mahatma Gandhi University,[3] Kottayam, Kerala, vice-chancellor of the Cochin University of Science and Technology, [citation needed] founder-director of the School of Chemical Sciences; dean of Faculty of Science; controller of examinations; director of College Development Council; founder-director of the School of Professional Distance Education and chief, Employment and Information Guidance Bureau of the Mahatma Gandhi University.