After a year of deep dive into our archives and heartfelt interviews, we are thrilled to announce the completion of our special series chronicling the Vice-Chancellors of the University of Hyderabad.
This wasn’t just a trip down memory lane; it was massive research undertaking to document the visionaries who shaped our “University of Hyderabad” into the ‘Institution of Eminence’ it is today.
The articles on the Vice Chancellors of the University from 1974-2026 are listed below:
As the founding Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad (1974–1979), Professor Gurbakhsh Singh—a distinguished chemist and Padma Bhushan laureate—played a monumental role in anchoring the university’s legacy. His pioneering leadership established a robust foundation built on academic rigor, progressive innovation, and deep social inclusivity. The visionary framework he implemented during the university’s formative years continues to serve as a foundational blueprint, inspiring generations of scholars, researchers, and administrators on the campus today.
As the second Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad (1980–1986), Prof. B. S. Ramakrishna spearheaded a transformative era that propelled the institution into a premier tier of higher education. His tenure was marked by a strategic modernization of research infrastructure, the cultivation of high-impact national and international academic partnerships, and the introduction of cutting-edge degree programs. Most notably, his administrative foresight laid the physical foundation of the campus, driving the comprehensive planning, design, and construction of the university’s landmark Science Complex, central administrative building, and other vital infrastructure that remains central to the university today.
https://herald.uohyd.ac.in/pioneering-excellence-professor-b-s-ramakrishnas-lasting-legacy/
Serving as the third Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad (1986 to 1993), Prof. Bhadriraju Krishnamurti implemented several innovative initiatives that transformed the University’s academic landscape. He introduced new interdisciplinary programs, fostered collaboration between departments, and promoted a culture of innovation. In 1987, he established the Sarojini Naidu School of Preforming Arts, Fine Arts and Communication and the Centre for Applied Linguistics and the Centre for Translation Studies, in the School of Humanities.
https://herald.uohyd.ac.in/prof-bhadriraju-krishnamurti-a-visionary-leader-in-education/
Serving as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad (1994–1998), Prof. Goverdhan Mehta—a globally celebrated organic chemist and academic leader—steered the university through a pivotal era of modernization. His visionary tenure laid the critical structural and intellectual foundations that accelerated the university’s emergence as a top-tier powerhouse for advanced research and higher education in India. Renowned for his exceptional breakthrough contributions to chemical sciences and his transformative administrative foresight, Prof. Mehta’s profound influence continues to shape the trajectory of Indian academia and global scientific innovation.
https://herald.uohyd.ac.in/prof-goverdhan-mehta-a-visionary-leader-and-academic-luminary/
Serving as the fifth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad (1999–2002), Professor Rama Rao seamlessly synthesized scientific rigor, administrative acumen, and a profound human touch in university governance. His visionary leadership was defined by an unyielding commitment to scholastic excellence, pioneering research innovation, and robust institutional growth—with a particular emphasis on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. This gentle, accessible demeanor made him a deeply revered and beloved figure across the institution. Under his stellar guidance, the University of Hyderabad significantly fortified its stature as one of India’s premier apex centers for advanced research and higher education.
https://herald.uohyd.ac.in/prof-palle-rama-rao-where-excellence-meets-dedication/
When Dr. Kota Harinarayana took charge as the sixth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad from 2002 to 2005, he was already a towering figure in Indian Science & Technology. Known as the “Father of the Light Combat Aircraft” for his role as Chief Designer of Tejas, India’s fourth-generation fighter jet, Dr. Kota was a legend in aeronautical engineering. Yet, for UoH, his tenure was much more than the arrival of a renowned scientist; it marked the beginning of a period of unprecedented innovation, institutional strengthening, and social engagement.
Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain served as the seventh Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad from 2005 to 2011, becoming one of the key academic leaders in the institution’s history. By the time he assumed this role, he was already a highly respected scientist, nationally and internationally recognized for his contributions to molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, and science policy. His tenure as Vice-Chancellor marked a phase of strong academic growth, research excellence, and national recognition for the University.
https://herald.uohyd.ac.in/prof-seyed-e-hasnain-a-life-of-science-leadership-and-service/
Serving as the eighth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad (2011–2015), Prof. Ramakrishna Ramaswamy—a distinguished scientist and academic administrator—steered the university through a defining phase of modern evolution. His tenure was characterized by sharp institutional foresight and a deliberate focus on broadening the university’s academic and research landscape. Most notably, Prof. Ramaswamy championed a culture of interdisciplinary expansion, breaking down traditional departmental silos to cultivate complex, cross-cutting research initiatives that significantly enhanced the university’s contemporary global standing.
Professor Appa Rao Podile, an eminent scientist and educator, served as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad from 2015 to 2021. Professor Appa Rao, an eminent Indian scientist and educator, steered the university through a transformative phase of institutional growth. His leadership seamlessly integrated robust administrative governance with an unyielding dedication to scientific discovery and scholastic distinction. A defining milestone of his administration was securing the prestigious Institution of Eminence (IoE) status, permanently elevating the university’s national and global academic standing.
Professor Basuthkar Jagadeeshwar Rao, who assumed office as the tenth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad from 2021-2026. His tenure came at a pivotal moment when the University, already recognized as one of India’s premier public institutions, was poised to transition into a globally competitive research university. Prof. Rao’s leadership marks the most recent chapter in the University’s Vice Chancellor Series—one shaped by scientific rigor, institutional reform, and a clear commitment to leveraging national initiatives for global academic positioning.
We hope this series serves as a reminder of the strong foundation upon which we continue to build our academic excellence.
– By Ashish Jacob Thomas & K Arun Kumar; Public Relations Office, UoH