Barkatullah University VC Prof S.K. Jain resigns, Prof Vivek Sharma named acting chief
Synopsis
Barkatullah University's Vice-Chancellor resigned on 18 June and was replaced within 24 hours — no reasons given. With the MP government also pushing to rename the institution Bagdevi Bhojpal University, the Bhopal campus is navigating both a leadership vacuum and an identity shift simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
MP Governor Mangubhai Patel accepted Prof S.K.
Jain's resignation as Vice-Chancellor of Barkatullah University, Bhopal on 19 June .
Prof Vivek Sharma , Dean of the Faculty of Management, has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect.
Prof Jain submitted his resignation on 18 June ; it was accepted the following day — the reasons have not been officially disclosed.
The interim arrangement is governed by the Madhya Pradesh Universities Act, 1973 and will continue until a permanent VC is appointed.
The development coincides with the state government's decision to rename the university Bagdevi Bhojpal University .
Madhya Pradesh Governor and Chancellor Mangubhai Patel has accepted the resignation of Prof S.K. Jain as Vice-Chancellor of Barkatullah University (BU), Bhopal, and appointed an interim replacement with immediate effect. The decision, formalised on Friday, 20 June through an order issued by Raj Bhavan, follows Prof Jain's resignation submitted on 18 June.
Key Developments
Exercising powers vested under the Madhya Pradesh Universities Act, 1973, the Chancellor directed Prof Vivek Sharma, Dean of the Faculty of Management, to assume the additional charge of Acting Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect. Prof Sharma will oversee both the administrative and academic functioning of the university until a permanent successor is appointed by the state government.
Why Prof Jain Resigned
The reasons behind Prof Jain's resignation have not been officially disclosed by Raj Bhavan or the state government. The resignation was submitted on 18 June and accepted the very next day — a notably swift turnaround that has drawn attention in higher education circles across Madhya Pradesh. Stakeholders are keenly awaiting an official explanation alongside the appointment of a full-time Vice-Chancellor.
Interim Arrangement and Its Scope
Prof Sharma's acting role is designed to prevent an administrative vacuum during the leadership transition. He will discharge all Vice-Chancellor duties — spanning academic oversight, administrative decisions, and institutional governance — until a regular appointment is completed. The order specifies that this arrangement remains in place only until the state government concludes the selection process.
Rename Row Adds to the Transition
This leadership change comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the university. The Madhya Pradesh government recently decided to drop the name 'Barkatullah' and rename the institution Bagdevi Bhojpal University — a move that has itself generated debate in academic and political circles. The simultaneous change in leadership and institutional identity places the university at a complex crossroads.
What Happens Next
Barkatullah University, a prominent state university offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes, is expected to maintain academic continuity under Prof Sharma's stewardship. The search for a permanent Vice-Chancellor is now underway. How quickly the state government moves on that appointment will determine how long the institution operates under interim leadership — a period that, by its nature, limits long-term decision-making capacity.
Point of View
And the official silence on reasons raises legitimate questions about what prompted Prof Jain's exit. Paired with the contentious renaming of the institution to Bagdevi Bhojpal University — a decision that has not been without controversy — the university is navigating simultaneous disruptions to its leadership and identity. Interim arrangements, by design, defer hard decisions; the longer the permanent appointment takes, the more the institution risks policy drift at a moment when it can least afford it.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Prof S.K. Jain resign as Vice-Chancellor of Barkatullah University?
The official reasons for Prof S.K. Jain's resignation have not been disclosed by Raj Bhavan or the Madhya Pradesh government. He submitted his resignation on 18 June and it was accepted the following day.
Who is the acting Vice-Chancellor of Barkatullah University now?
Prof Vivek Sharma, Dean of the Faculty of Management at Barkatullah University, has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect. He will hold the charge until a permanent Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the state government.
Under which law was the acting VC appointment made?
The appointment was made by MP Governor and Chancellor Mangubhai Patel exercising powers under the Madhya Pradesh Universities Act, 1973. The order was issued by Raj Bhavan on 20 June.
What is the Barkatullah University renaming controversy?
The Madhya Pradesh government recently decided to rename Barkatullah University as Bagdevi Bhojpal University, dropping the name of freedom fighter Barkatullah. The decision has drawn attention in academic and political circles and coincides with the current leadership transition.
Will academic activities at Barkatullah University be affected by this change?
The interim arrangement with Prof Vivek Sharma as Acting Vice-Chancellor is designed to ensure administrative and academic continuity. Ongoing programmes and decisions are expected to proceed without interruption during the transition period.
