HPU Gets New Permanent Vice-Chancellor After Three Years; Dr. Mahavir Singh Appointed

Shimla, June 2:
After a wait of nearly three years, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has finally got a new permanent Vice-Chancellor. On Monday, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, who is also the Chancellor of the university, appointed Dr. Mahavir Singh to the post. A professor in HPU’s Department of Physics and a native of Kumarsain in Shimla district, Dr. Singh has been appointed for a term of three years, effective from the date he assumes office.

Dr. Singh previously served as the Vice-Chancellor of Baddi University and is widely recognized for his work in nanotechnology within the field of physics. He has authored several research papers published in prestigious national and international journals and is considered a respected academician and researcher.

The Vice-Chancellor’s position at HPU had been vacant since 2022, when former VC Prof. Sikander Kumar took voluntary retirement to contest the Rajya Sabha elections. Since then, Prof. Satya Prakash Bansal, Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), was given additional charge of HPU. While Prof. Bansal managed to run the university with limited resources and dual responsibilities, there had been growing discontent among students and faculty over the absence of a full-time appointee.

Student organizations had repeatedly urged both the university administration and the state government to expedite the appointment process to ensure stability in academic and administrative functions.

The process for appointing a new Vice-Chancellor had been under deliberation for quite some time. A search committee formed by the state government conducted interviews on October 22, 2024, in Chandigarh, where 18 shortlisted candidates from across the country participated. After several rounds of review, Dr. Mahavir Singh was selected for the role.

Known for his academic rigor and leadership skills, Dr. Singh now faces several key responsibilities—reviving stalled university projects, improving administrative systems, and addressing student concerns. Promoting academic reforms and research excellence are also expected to be high on his agenda.

With his experience and academic background, there is optimism that Dr. Singh will bring much-needed direction and momentum to Himachal Pradesh University in the coming years.