IIM Calcutta’s new director Alok Kumar Rai to assume charge on July 30

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta’s new director, Alok Kumar Rai, will assume charge on July 30 at 12:30 pm. Rai was previously the vice chancellor of the University of Lucknow.

According to the official IIM Calcutta press release, the institute looks forward to his leadership in IIM Calcutta through its next phase of growth, especially in an era of global transformation and AI-driven change.

IIM Calcutta thanked Saibal Chattopadhyay for his dedicated leadership and steady stewardship as director-in-charge during the transition.

Rai served as the 40th vice-chancellor of the University of Lucknow from December 2019 to July 2025. He was previously a faculty member of management at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and has also held several positions on various high-level committees and panels.

According to the ministry of education, IIM Calcutta did not have a regular full-term director for nearly two years.

Additionally, IIM Calcutta has recently launched an executive programme in private equity and venture capital in partnership with edtech Imarticus Learning. The seven-month programme is designed for entrepreneurs and finance professionals with insights from IIM Calcutta’s faculty and private equity and venture capital veterans.