♦ The Ministry of Education has given an additional charge to Vineet Joshi as the chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC) on 11 April 2025.

♦ Currently, he is Secretary of the Department of Higher Education.

♦ 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.

♦ Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar had taken charge as UGC Chairman in February 2022.

♦ 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.