UGC bids farewell to chairman Jagadesh Kumar, hails student-centric reforms

NEW DELHI: Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar’s tenure as the chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) ends. The commission on Monday took to X to bid farewell to the chairman M Jagadesh Kumar.

The former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) vice-chancellor was appointed as the chief of the UGC on February 4, 2022. His appointment was crucial as the central government was planning to implement the new National Education Policy and introduce several reforms in the higher education system.

During his tenure, the UGC introduced several guidelines and made tweaks in admission, entrance exams such as UGC NET, NEET, JEE Main 2025, and recruitments in higher education. The statutory body introduced the dual degree programmes to help students pursue two courses simultaneously. Moreover, APAAR ID, Academic Bank of Credit (ABC portal), multiple entry-exit, flexible and continuous learning opportunities were also implemented in the last 3 years.

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“His tenure was marked by a series of unprecedented student-centric reforms and far-reaching institutional changes across the higher education in the country. He also shifted many aspects of the functioning of the regulatory body,” the UGC said.

“His dedication to academia and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life will be fondly remembered. The entire UGC family wishes him the very best in the next chapter of his life,” it added.