The Announcement of Prof. Manish R. Joshi's Resignation

In a significant development for India's higher education landscape, Prof. Manish R. Joshi, the Secretary of the University Grants Commission (UGC)—the apex regulatory body for higher education in India—has stepped down from his position. Joshi submitted his resignation on March 30, 2026, citing personal reasons, with the UGC accepting it and relieving him effective April 25, 2026. This allows him to return to his parent institution, the School of Computer Sciences at Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University (KBC NMU) in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, where he has been a faculty member since 1997.

The timing of this resignation comes shortly after ongoing discussions in academic circles about leadership stability at the UGC, especially as the commission navigates complex reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Prof. Shyama Rath, currently the Member Secretary of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), has been assigned additional charge as UGC Secretary from April 25, 2026, afternoon. This transition underscores the interconnectedness of India's regulatory bodies for higher and technical education.

Prof. Joshi's Academic and Professional Background

Prof. Manish R. Joshi is a distinguished academician with a robust background in computer science and artificial intelligence (AI). Holding a Master of Computer Science (MCS) from Pune University and a Ph.D. from North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Joshi has dedicated over two decades to teaching and research. His expertise spans rough set-based machine intelligence, localization, knowledge discovery, and natural language processing. He has guided six Ph.D. scholars, published over 100 research papers, and secured national awards, including the 2018 National Award for Popular Science and Technology Translation by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Prior to his UGC role, Joshi served as a professor at KBC NMU's School of Computer Sciences, with international stints including a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, and teaching in The Gambia, China, and Armenia. Appointed UGC Secretary on February 13, 2023, he brought a blend of academic rigor and administrative experience to the position, focusing on digital transformation and equity in higher education.

Highlights of Joshi's Tenure at UGC

During his over three-year tenure, Prof. Joshi spearheaded several initiatives to strengthen India's higher education ecosystem. He played a key role in publicizing lists of fake universities—declaring 20 such institutions in 2023 alone, with Delhi topping the list—to protect students from fraudulent degrees. UGC under his leadership issued warnings against unapproved online degrees offered by edtech firms in collaboration with foreign universities, ensuring regulatory compliance.

Joshi emphasized fee refund policies, compliance with UGC guidelines, and promotion of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). He facilitated training programs, visited universities like the University of Hyderabad, and supported NEP 2020 implementation, including multidisciplinary education and research enhancement. His efforts also included sensitizing institutions on student mental health and equity measures, laying groundwork for inclusive campuses.

• Released annual lists of fake universities to safeguard student interests.
• Enforced strict guidelines on online and ODL programs amid rising enrollments.
• Promoted AICTE-UKIERI collaborations and international capacity building.
• Advocated for timely data submission for global rankings like QS World University Rankings.

The UGC Promotion of Equity Regulations, 2026: Genesis and Provisions

The most prominent initiative under Joshi was the notification of the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, on January 13, 2026. Aimed at replacing the 2012 regulations, these rules sought to eradicate discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, disability, or region in universities and colleges. Key features include:

• Mandatory establishment of Equity Committees chaired by the institution head, with representatives from SC/ST/OBC, persons with disabilities (PwD), women, faculty, staff, students, and civil society.
• Appointment of an Equity Officer to monitor inclusive policies and handle complaints within strict timelines—24 hours for severe cases, 15 days otherwise.
• Annual reporting to UGC via a national portal, with penalties like grant withdrawal for non-compliance.
• Ombudsperson for escalated grievances and sensitization programs for faculty and students.

These measures were designed to address persistent issues like caste-based harassment leading to student suicides, promoting a truly inclusive environment in India's 70,000+ higher education institutions (HEIs).Official UGC Regulations page

Photo by Seungmin Yoon on Unsplash

Controversy Surrounding the Equity Regulations

Despite good intentions, the regulations ignited nationwide protests and political backlash. Critics, including general category students and faculty, labeled them as enabling "reverse discrimination" due to the absence of general category representation in Equity Committees and broad definitions of discrimination that could be misused. Protests erupted at JNU, University of Hyderabad, and other campuses, with clashes between student groups.

BJP leaders resigned in protest, RSS affiliates expressed discomfort, and the regulations were accused of being notified without adequate government consultation. Social media amplified the debate, with X (formerly Twitter) posts highlighting fears of campus polarization and threats to academic freedom. Reports suggested Joshi's move was hasty, exacerbating the rift.

On January 29, 2026, the Supreme Court stayed the regulations, deeming them "vague and prone to misuse," reverting to the 2012 framework pending review.

Linking the Controversy to the Resignation

While officially attributed to personal reasons, speculation links Joshi's exit to the equity regulations fallout. Sources indicate government unease over the notification process and mounting pressure from stakeholders. Amar Ujala reported it as a leadership crisis, with UGC now operating without a permanent Chairman (Dr. Vineet Joshi holds additional charge) and secretary.

X posts celebrated it as a win against controversial policies, though official narratives emphasize voluntary return to academia. This episode highlights tensions between regulatory zeal and political sensitivities in higher education governance.

Prof. Shyama Rath: The Incoming Leadership

Prof. Shyama Rath, a senior professor in the Department of Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Delhi, brings over three decades of experience. An IIT Delhi alumnus with expertise in condensed matter physics, she assumed AICTE Member Secretary role in September 2025. Her research includes swift-heavy-ion modifications and materials science, with numerous publications.

In her dual role, Rath is expected to stabilize UGC operations, advance NEP goals like multidisciplinary programs, and address ongoing challenges with a physics-informed, methodical approach.

Implications for Indian Universities and Colleges

This leadership shift occurs amid India's higher education boom: over 70,000 HEIs, Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at 28%, yet stark challenges persist. Central HEIs face 28.56% faculty vacancies overall, 56% at professor level; graduate unemployment hovers at 40% despite expansion.

Universities must now focus on NEP pillars—multidisciplinary learning, research autonomy, internationalization—while resolving faculty shortages and equity without polarization. The transition could delay pending reforms but offers a fresh perspective on compliance and innovation.

Photo by Boston Public Library on Unsplash

Broader Challenges and Stakeholder Views

Stakeholders offer mixed reactions: student bodies like NSUI demand equity safeguards, while faculty unions worry about administrative burdens. Vice-chancellors emphasize balanced implementation to avoid litigation. With AICTE also leaderless in parts, technical education faces similar flux.

• Faculty shortage: 40%+ in many states, impacting quality.
• NEP progress: 50%+ institutions adopted multidisciplinary frameworks.
• Global rankings: Data deadlines critical for QS/NIRF visibility.

For more on Indian higher ed trends, explore recent analyses.

Future Outlook and Actionable Insights

The UGC's path forward involves refining equity measures post-SC review, accelerating NEP via flexible curricula, and bridging faculty gaps through incentives like adjunct positions. Institutions should proactively form inclusive committees, invest in faculty development, and leverage AI for administrative efficiency—echoing Joshi's expertise.

Prospective academics can monitor opportunities at leading universities via platforms like AcademicJobs.com. A stable leadership under Rath could propel India towards 50% GER by 2035, fostering world-class universities.