UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar Retires: Key Reforms in Higher Education
Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, who served as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) since February 2022, has officially retired from his post. His tenure was marked by sweeping reforms that reshaped India’s higher education landscape, aligning it with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Despite his retirement, the Ministry of Education has not yet announced a successor for the position.
Key Contributions and Reforms During His Tenure
1. Introduction of CUET for UG and PG
One of the landmark reforms under Prof. Kumar was the Central University Entrance Test (CUET), implemented for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. This standardized admission process aimed to make higher education more accessible and merit-based.
2. Biannual Admissions in Higher Education
The UGC allowed institutions to conduct admissions twice a year—in January/February and July/August—providing greater flexibility for both institutions and students.
3. Draft UGC Regulations 2025
The Draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff) Regulations, 2025, focused on:
- Improving recruitment transparency
- Promoting research and innovation
- Enhancing governance standards
- Aligning with global education practices
4. Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree Programme
A new set of draft guidelines allowed students to integrate apprenticeship training within their degree programs to boost employability.
5. NEP 2020-Aligned Reforms
Prof. Kumar championed multiple NEP 2020 initiatives, including:
- Multiple entry and exit options
- Recognition of prior learning
- Accelerated and extended degree programmes
6. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications
The UGC (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2025 simplified the process for recognizing degrees from foreign universities and offshore campuses, subject to defined standards.
7. Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
The draft regulations on promoting equity proposed:
- Formation of equity committees
- Establishment of equity squads
- Launch of an equity helpline
- Clear structure for equal opportunity centres
8. Discontinuation of UGC-CARE List
The UGC-CARE journal list was dissolved and replaced by a set of quality parameters based on eight specific criteria to identify credible academic journals.
9. Faculty Recruitment Reforms
- Opened Vice-Chancellor posts to non-academics
- Eased hiring norms for contract teachers to address faculty shortages
10. Ishan Uday Scholarship for NER
Under his leadership, the Ishan Uday Scholarship continued to support students from the North Eastern Region (NER), aiming to bridge regional disparities in higher education.
Previous Roles and Legacy
Before becoming UGC Chairman, Prof. Kumar served as the Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) from 2016 to 2022. His leadership style, though often debated, led to foundational policy changes with a lasting impact on Indian academia.
What’s Next?
As of now, no new UGC Chairman has been appointed. The academic community awaits the government’s decision on who will continue the reform journey initiated by Prof. Jagadesh Kumar.
