In a significant academic development, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has appointed Professor Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi as its 29th Vice-Chancellor. The Ministry of Education officially ratified the appointment, which comes into effect immediately. Professor Chaturvedi will serve a three-year term or until he turns 70, whichever occurs earlier. His appointment fills the leadership vacuum created by the departure of former Vice-Chancellor Prof Sudhir Kumar Jain, who completed his term on January 6, 2025.

Professor Chaturvedi is an accomplished academic and administrator with a longstanding association with some of India’s premier institutes. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, he earned his BTech in 1986, MTech in 1988, and PhD in 1995, all in Electrical Engineering. His doctoral and subsequent research work has been focused on communications theory and systems, with particular emphasis on waveform shaping, sequence design, and MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) wireless systems. These areas form the foundation of modern digital communication and are critical in today’s hyper-connected world.

He is widely recognised for his scholarly achievements and contributions to education. Among his many accolades, he was honoured with the ‘Distinguished Teacher’ award by IIT Kanpur in 2007. He was also awarded the Tan Chin Tuan Fellowship by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, in 2008 — a testament to his international reputation. In 2002, he mentored a team that went on to win the Microsoft Award for Innovation at the World Finals of the IEEE Computer Society International Design Contest, showcasing his ability to guide young talent towards excellence.

Professor Chaturvedi’s career in academic administration has been equally illustrious. He has held several key leadership positions in premier engineering institutions across India. He served as the Director of IIT Roorkee from 2017 to 2022, a tenure marked by growth in research, academics, and infrastructure. He also held the position of Director at IIT Mandi from 2020 to 2022, where he contributed to the development of the relatively new institute. In addition, he briefly served as the head of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) in Shimla between January 2017 and 2018.

His connection with BHU is not entirely new. Between 1994 and 1996, Prof Chaturvedi was part of the Electronics Engineering faculty at what was then IIT-BHU. This early experience at the university has given him a unique insight into its academic culture, structure, and potential, making him well-prepared for his new responsibilities. He rejoined IIT Kanpur in 1999, where he went on to take several key academic and administrative roles, including Head of the Electrical Engineering Department, Dean of Research and Development, and Deputy Director — all of which speak to his ability to lead complex institutions and manage diverse academic portfolios.

As Vice-Chancellor of BHU, Prof Chaturvedi is expected to spearhead academic reform, drive cutting-edge research initiatives, and enhance institutional governance. His vast experience in the field of engineering education and academic leadership is expected to be a valuable asset as BHU navigates the challenges and opportunities of the evolving higher education landscape. BHU, one of India’s most prestigious universities, is currently in a phase of transformation, with increasing focus on interdisciplinary research, global academic collaborations, and innovation-led education. The appointment of someone of Prof Chaturvedi’s calibre is seen as a move to strengthen the university’s academic foundation and global reputation.

The terms and conditions of his appointment, as stated in the official notification issued by Shreya Bhardwaj, Deputy Secretary, Government of India, will be governed by the existing Act, Statutes, and Ordinances of Banaras Hindu University.

With this new role, Prof Chaturvedi returns not just to a familiar campus but also to a broader vision of national development through education and research. As he takes the reins of BHU, the university community and academic circles at large are hopeful that his leadership will mark a new era of excellence and innovation at the institution.