UGC secretary Manish Joshi to be relieved; Shyama Rath to take charge
Prof. Manish R. Joshi, Secretary of India’s University Grants Commission (UGC), is set to be relieved from his duties effective April 25, 2026. He submitted his resignation on March 30, 2026, citing personal reasons, and will return to his parent organization, the School of Computer Sciences at Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, where he taught since 1997.
New Appointment
Prof. Shyama Rath, currently Member Secretary of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), will take additional charge as UGC Secretary starting April 25, 2026. This move comes amid administrative reshuffles in higher education, with Rath inheriting key responsibilities like policy navigation in a polarized academic environment.
Background Context
Joshi was appointed UGC Secretary on February 13, 2023, overseeing initiatives on equity and transparency in universities. Some reports note his recent issuance of an official message on the Samta Vinayam 2026 without prior government approval, though the resignation is officially tied to personal motives.
