He is a well-known authority on Constitutional Government and a pioneer in the field of Management Education in India, Prof. Pylee has had a distinguished academic career in India and abroad. He has taught at the Universities of Lucknow, Patna, Delhi, Kerala and Cochin, and was a Director of the Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad. He was a Fulbright Smith-Mundt Scholar at Harvard University and later a visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He was also a visiting professor at the Universities of Moscow and Novosibirsk and a visiting fellow at the East West Center, Hawaii. 
Prof. Pylee was the Founder Director of the School of Management of the University of Cochin and held that position for over twelve years. Later he was appointed Vice Chancellor and honoured as Professor Emeritus by the University. He is the recipient of many honours and awards among which are the coveted KMA Management Leadership Award, the International Leadership Award for Outstanding Services to Teaching and Management Profession, International Award for Distinguished Service to Global Higher Education and Hon. D. Litt. Degree of Benaras Hindu University. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2006 and is now holding the position of National Research Professor.
At present he is the Hon. Director General of the Asian Institute of Development and Entrepreneurship, South Kalamassery.
Travelled widely in India and abroad, Prof. Pylee has written over thirty books and published over 200 research papers. He has also participated in many national and international seminars and conferences and is closely associated with a variety of educational, administrative, research and professional bodies.