New Delhi: Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar has retired from his position as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), concluding a notable tenure marked by transformative reforms in India’s higher education system. He was appointed as UGC Chairman in February 2022.
During his time in office, Professor Kumar spearheaded several significant initiatives aimed at modernizing higher education in India. One of his landmark contributions was the introduction of the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, ensuring a standardized and transparent admission process across central universities.
He also played a pivotal role in implementing various aspects of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2022. Under his leadership, the UGC proposed flexible academic structures, including multidisciplinary education, multiple entry and exit options, and recognition of prior learning.
Another notable achievement during his tenure was the introduction of the UGC (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2025. This new regulation allowed for the recognition of degrees obtained from offshore campuses of foreign universities, further expanding opportunities for Indian students.
Born in Mamidala village in Tipparthi Mandal, Nalgonda district, Telangana, Professor Kumar completed his Master’s and PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. He later pursued post-doctoral research at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Prior to becoming UGC Chairman, he served as the Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) from 2016 to 2022.
With Professor Kumar’s retirement, the position of UGC Chairman currently remains vacant. The Ministry of Education is yet to announce his successor. His departure marks the end of a reform-driven era, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped the structure and delivery of higher education in India.
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