M Jagadesh Kumar Former UGC Chief to Head IIM Calcutta Board of Governors

Updated on March 7, 2026 Written By Pragya Tripathi

The IIM Calcutta's Board of Governors will be chaired by M Jagadesh Kumar former chairperson of the University Grants Commission according to the Union Education Ministry. Kumar will serve a 4 year term or until he turns seventy four whichever comes first.

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In an order dated 5th March, the ministry stated that Kumar has been nominated as the chairman of IIM Calcutta's Board of Governors by the President of India, acting in her capacity as the institution's visitor, using the authority granted under the IIM Act 2017. According to the decree the nomination will go into force on the day he takes over.

Until his retirement Kumar was the chairman of the UGC. He received the Padma Shri award in 2026 Jan in recognition of his contributions to education and literature. Kumar was the eleventh vice chancellor of JNU. He teaches electrical engineering at the IIT Delhi.

The director of IIM Calcutta Alok Kumar thanked Kumar and said on X that the institute will grow because of his background as a professor at IIT Delhi, vice-chancellor of JNU and chairman of UGC.

According to the IIM Act of 2017 the BoG of IIMs is the main executive body and highest governing body. It makes important policy decisions on academic functioning, administration and general operations while exercising broad direction, control and superintendence over the institute's affairs.