Chandigarh: Panjab University has a regular vice-chancellor again after 103 days of interim charge. Prof Tankeshwar Kumar, currently Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Haryana in Mahendergarh, was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University on Monday, 9 November 2026, for a three-year term counted from the date he assumes charge.

The appointment was made by the university's Chancellor, Vice-President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan. The notification, issued by the Secretariat of the Vice-President under Section 10 of the Panjab University Act, 1947, was signed by Amit Khare, Secretary to the Vice-President. Prof Kumar is expected to assume charge within two to three days, according to reports.

103 days without a regular head

The university had been without a regular head since 28 July 2026, when Prof Renu Cheema Vig completed her tenure after a four-month extension granted in March. Prof Meenakshi Goyal, Dean of University Instruction, held additional charge from 29 July.

The selection process had reached the interview stage before Prof Vig's tenure ended. A three-member search-cum-selection committee headed by Lt Gen (retd) Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice-Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, had shortlisted 28 candidates, of whom 25 appeared for interactions on 3 and 6 July, but no appointment was announced at the time.

A familiar face returns to PU

Prof Kumar has an earlier association with Panjab University, where he served as a UGC professor of physics and worked with the Abdul Kalam Computer Centre. He later served as Vice-Chancellor of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, from 2015 to 2021, before becoming Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Haryana in 2021.

After the appointment was notified, Prof Kumar identified student welfare, improved academic output, job-oriented education, faculty strengthening and research promotion as his key priorities.

Senate notification is the first test

The most immediate institutional issue before the incoming vice-chancellor is the constitution of the university's new Senate. Elections for Senate fellows were completed on 4 October 2026, but the elected fellows have not yet been notified. The previous Senate's tenure ended on 31 October 2024, leaving the university without an elected governing body since then. Asked about the pending notification, Prof Kumar said he was aware of the matter and that the notification would be issued very soon, within the next few days.

Panjab University, established in 1882 at Lahore, is one of the largest higher-education institutions for students from Punjab and the region, which is why both the return of a regular head and the restoration of the Senate are being seen as significant for the institution's day-to-day governance.