Education | The Indian Express
The Ministry of Education has given an additional charge to Vineet Joshi, the current Secretary of the Department of Higher Education. He is appointed as the chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC). This decision has been taken following the retirement of the previous UGC chairman, Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar. Joshi will discharge his duties as UGC chairperson till a full-time appointment is made or until further orders are issued.
An alumnus of IIT Kanpur, Vineet Joshi holds a BTech in Mechanical Engineering. IIT Kanpur is recognised as one of India’s premier engineering and technology institutes. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, IIT Kanpur is placed at rank 263 globally. IIT Kanpur also holds a prestigious position as an Institute of National Importance. In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024, the institute secured the 5th rank in the overall category and 4th position in the engineering category.
He went on to earn an MBA in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi, where he was a gold medalist. He later completed a PhD in Quality Management from IIFT. The institute is known globally, securing the 63rd position in the QS International Trade Rankings 2025 for its MBA and Master’s programmes.
His predecessor, Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, who had taken charge as UGC Chairman in February 2022, had a key role in shaping recent higher education reforms. His tenure in the UGC was marked by landmark initiatives, including the introduction of the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. He was also at the helm of implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, helping integrate its key recommendations into university functioning and structure.
Who is Vineet Joshi?
Vineet Joshi was born on November 2, 1968, in Uttar Pradesh, establishing the foundation for what would become a distinguished career in public service. A 1992-batch IAS officer of the Manipur cadre, has had a distinguished career across various tiers of educational administration.
Prior to his current role in the Ministry of Education, he served as the Chief Secretary to the Government of Manipur, a position he held from July 2023 to December 2024. He was appointed as Secretary of Higher Education at the Centre on January 16, 2024, signifying a return to the education sector where he has held key portfolios in the past.
Leading the National Testing Agency (NTA)
Before his recent tenure in Manipur, Joshi was the Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) from December 2019 to November 2020. During his stint, he oversaw crucial entrance examinations such as NEET, JEE Main, and UGC NET, helping to streamline and standardise testing mechanisms across India.
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Initial years at the CBSE
Vineet Joshi is perhaps best known for his time at the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). From February 2010 to November 2014, he served as the Chairman of CBSE, a period marked by major curricular reforms, the introduction of the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system, and expansion in the Board’s operational efficiency.
He also held the position of Secretary at CBSE, playing a key role in academic planning and policy implementation in school education.
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