VINEET JOSHI, who is the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education at present, has been entrusted with additional charge as the Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC) by the Ministry of Education. This is following the retirement of previous UGC Chairperson Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, who was in office since February 2022.
Joshi, who is a seasoned bureaucrat and educationist, will remain in the post until a permanent appointment is finalized or other orders are received. His appointment is interpreted as a calculated move, considering his long career of experience in educational administration and institutional reform.
A Veteran Administrator Steps In
VINEET JOSHI, a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Manipur cadre, has held several key roles across the education sector. He recently served as the Chief Secretary of Manipur from July 2023 to December 2024, before taking over as Secretary of Higher Education at the central level in January 2024.
Joshi’s academic background further strengthens his credentials. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur, he holds a BTech in Mechanical Engineering. The institute, which is 263rd in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025, is also 4th in engineering and 5th overall in India as per the NIRF 2024. He then did an MBA in International Business from IIFT, New Delhi, where he was a gold medalist, and then a PhD in Quality Management from the same university. IIFT has acquired international recognition, ranked 63rd in the QS International Trade Rankings 2025 for its business programs.
VINEET JOSHI: Can His Past Reforms Guide the Future of Higher Education?
With a proven track record in education policy and institutional reform, VINEET JOSHI is expected to bring stability and continuity to the UGC. But the key question remains—Can Vineet Joshi’s previous reforms and leadership roles be effectively translated into his interim term as UGC Chairperson?
With his practical experience, particularly with mass examination systems and curriculum overhaul, stakeholders are hopeful. His tenure at the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and National Testing Agency (NTA) has already made a lasting impact on India’s education landscape.
A Reformist Track Record
Joshi is known for his transformational leadership during his 2010-2014 CBSE Chairman tenure. He led various initiatives, the most significant being the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system, which was started to minimize stress and facilitate all-round development among school-going students. During his tenure, CBSE was digitized and expanded operations at a rapid pace.
He was also the Secretary of CBSE, playing a significant role in academic planning and curriculum development.
From December 2019 to November 2020, Joshi was the Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), administering high-stakes national exams like NEET, JEE Main, and UGC NET. He initiated substantial process refinements during this time, including enhanced transparency, digitized procedures, and more streamlined administration.
Building on the Foundation of Prof Kumar
His predecessor, Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, did much to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and lead the way in the adoption of the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) for both undergraduate and master’s programmes. Kumar’s tenure was characterized by structural changes in Indian higher education, preparing universities to integrate more with international best practices.
Now, with VINEET JOSHI taking charge, the education sector looks forward to a continuation—and perhaps an extension—of these reforms. His appointment is viewed as a transition between legacy policy implementation and future transformative measures in higher education administration.
As India continues to reshape its academic landscape, VINEET JOSHI’s leadership at the UGC is expected to play a crucial role in aligning institutions with national and global goals. All eyes are now on his ability to maintain momentum and deliver impactful changes in the months ahead.
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