Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University
| Vice-Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University | |
|---|---|
| Hindi: Kashi Hindu Vishvavidyaalay ke Kulpati | |
BHU Flag flies atop vice-chancellor's car and office | |
| Style | The Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor |
| Type | Vice-chancellor |
| Status | Chief Executive of the Banaras Hindu University |
| Abbreviation | VC-BHU |
| Member of | Executive Council, Academic Council, and Finance Committee of the Banaras Hindu University |
| Reports to | Executive Council, University Court, and President of India |
| Residence | Cochin House, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India |
| Seat | Central Office, Banaras Hindu University |
| Nominator | Ministry of Education |
| Appointer | President of India (Visitor of the university) |
| Term length | Three years Second term of fresh appointment possible. |
| Constituting instrument | Banaras Hindu University Act of 1915 |
| Formation | 1 April 1916 |
| First holder | Sir Sunder Lal |
| Deputy | The Rector of the Banaras Hindu University |
| Salary | ₹210,000 (US$2,500) monthly. Excluding other allowances |
| Website | Official website |
The vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (VC-BHU) is the chief administrator, and a full-time salaried officer of the Banaras Hindu University. The vice-chancellor derives their powers from sections 7(B) and 7(C) of the Banaras Hindu University Act (BHU Act) and from the statutes of the said act.
Although the chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, preceding the vice-chancellor, is "head of the university" under the BHU Act, it is only a titular position. The vice-chancellor is the principal executive and principal academic officer of the university. She or he is the ex-officio chairperson of the Executive Council, the Academic Council, and the Finance Committee of the university.
Applications for the appointment of vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University are invited openly by the Ministry of Education, which shortlists candidates interviewed by its search committee. The shortlisted candidates are recommended to the president of India. Upon their satisfaction, the president appoints the vice-chancellor. Per the BHU Act, vice-chancellors of the university have a three-year tenure in the office. They are, however, eligible for a second term of appointment upon expiration of the first term with preferably not more than 67 years of age. The maximum age for holding the office is 70 years. When a vice-chancellor leaves office by the means of retirement, resignation, death, or ill-health, the rector assumes the office as officiating vice-chancellor to avoid interregnum.
During the British Indian and Indian Dominion administration, the appointments were made by the Governor General.
There have been 28 vice-chancellors since the establishment of the university.
On 7 January 2025, Sudhir K. Jain retired as the 28th vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University. In place of him, Sanjay Kumar (Rector, BHU) has been assigned the charge of the vacant chair, now acting as the Vice Chancellor (incharge). The finalized name of new VC of BHU is yet to be disclosed by the central government.