Former UGC chief M Jagadesh Kumar appointed chairperson of IIM Calcutta Board of Governors

Former University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman M Jagadesh Kumar has been appointed as the chairperson of the Board of Governors (BoG) of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta. The Union education ministry issued an order on March 5 stating that the President of India, in her capacity as Visitor of the institute, nominated Kumar for the position under provisions of the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017.

According to the order, Kumar will serve a tenure of four years or until he reaches the age of 74, whichever is earlier. The nomination will come into effect from the date he assumes charge of the position.

The post had been vacant since December 8 last year following the resignation of Shrikrishna G. Kulkarni. The Board of Governors functions as the principal executive body and apex governing authority of IIMs, overseeing administration, academic functioning and key policy decisions under the IIM Act, 2017.

Kumar previously served as the vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University from January 2016 to February 2022. Later, he was appointed chairman of the University Grants Commission and held the post from February 2022 until April 2026.

During his tenure as UGC chairman, Kumar rolled out the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) as a unified entrance examination for undergraduate admissions to central universities. His tenure in academic administration has also seen debates and controversies over policy decisions and institutional changes.