Tankeshwar Kumar Appointed as New Vice-Chancellor of Punjab University for a Three-Year Term

Punjab University (PU), one of the country's prominent higher education institutions, has appointed a new regular Vice-Chancellor. Professor Tankeshwar Kumar, the incumbent Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Haryana, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Punjab University for a three-year term. According to the official notification issued on November 9, 2026, his tenure will begin from the date he assumes office. With this appointment, the university is set to end the interim leadership arrangement that has continued for the past 103 days.

Appointment Made Under the Punjab University Act

The Vice-President of India and Chancellor of Punjab University, C. P. Radhakrishnan, has appointed Professor Tankeshwar Kumar under Section 10 of the Punjab University Act, 1947. The notification issued by the Vice-President's Secretariat bears the signature of Amit Khare, Secretary to the Vice-President and Secretary to the Chancellor of the university. The appointment order has been forwarded to the university's Registrar for necessary action.

Under Section 10 of the Punjab University Act, the Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the Chancellor, with a regular tenure of three years. The term of the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor has also been determined in accordance with this statutory provision.

Interim Leadership Arrangement to End After 103 Days

The post of Vice-Chancellor at Punjab University fell vacant on July 28, 2026, following the completion of the tenure of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Renu Cheema Vig. Subsequently, from July 29, Professor Meenakshi Goyal, Dean of University Instruction (DUI), had been serving as the interim Vice-Chancellor.

Due to the delay in appointing a regular Vice-Chancellor, the university had been functioning under an interim administrative arrangement for the past three months. Professor Kumar's appointment is now expected to provide the institution with permanent leadership. This is likely to bring continuity to administrative decisions, academic initiatives and institutional priorities.

Previous Academic Association with Punjab University

Punjab University is not a new institution for Professor Tankeshwar Kumar. He has previously served as a Professor in the Department of Physics and as a University Grants Commission (UGC) Professor at the university. His academic and research experience spans areas such as physics, nanotechnology, computational research and scientific investigations.

After serving at Punjab University, he took charge as Vice-Chancellor of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology (GJUST), Hisar, Haryana. He held the position from 2015 to 2021. Subsequently, in 2021, he assumed office as the Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Haryana, Mahendragarh. His professional journey reflects extensive experience in teaching, research and university administration.

New Vice-Chancellor Faces Several Key Challenges

Professor Kumar is set to take charge of Punjab University at a time when the institution faces several priorities, including strengthening academic quality, expanding research activities and improving its administrative framework.

One of the key issues before the university is the constitution of a new Senate. The Senate is the university's principal statutory governing body and plays an important role in its administration and policy-related decisions. The tenure of the previous Senate ended on October 31, 2024. Since then, the process and administrative decisions concerning the constitution of a new Senate have remained pending. In October 2026, the election process for the Senate was completed. However, the formal notification of elected members and the constitution of the new Senate remain important steps.

In addition, regular appointments to key administrative positions, issues concerning faculty members and students, improved research opportunities and enhancement of academic performance will also be among the major responsibilities of the new Vice-Chancellor.

Focus on Research and Academic Excellence

Punjab University is one of India's oldest and leading higher education institutions. Therefore, the new Vice-Chancellor's tenure is expected to provide fresh direction to the university's academic reputation, research capabilities and institutional administration. Promoting research projects, ensuring a better academic environment for faculty members and prioritising students' interests are likely to be among his key focus areas.

Professor Tankeshwar Kumar's appointment is not merely a leadership transition but also an important step towards restoring a regular administrative structure at the university. Following his assumption of office, it will be important to see how he approaches pending administrative issues and develops strategies to strengthen the university's academic and research achievements.