Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar has officially stepped down from his role as Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), a position he held since February 2022. His tenure was marked by a series of impactful reforms aimed at modernizing India’s higher education system.
Among his most notable contributions was the launch of the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, streamlining the entry process to central universities across the country. He also played a pivotal role in rolling out key aspects of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2022, driving the agenda for a more flexible and inclusive academic framework.
Professor Kumar advocated for major structural changes, including the proposed dissolution of the UGC CARE List and a push for greater flexibility in faculty recruitment criteria, aiming to attract diverse and qualified talent into academia.
Prior to his appointment at the UGC, Kumar served as the Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) from 2016 to 2022.
As of now, the Ministry of Education has not announced a successor for the vacant UGC Chairman position.
