Ashoka University announced on Monday the appointment of Professor Rishikesha T. Krishnan as its next Vice-Chancellor (V-C) for an initial three-year term, effective August 1. Krishnan, recognized as one of India's most accomplished academic leaders, brings a distinguished record of scholarship, institution-building, and national policy engagement to the university. He succeeds Professor Somak Raychaudhury, whose tenure saw significant academic growth, institutional strengthening, and global recognition for Ashoka.
Rigorous Selection Process
The appointment followed a comprehensive search and selection process conducted by a committee formed by the university's governing body. Krishnan is widely regarded as a noted thinker and institution-builder with decades of experience in academic leadership, scholarly inquiry, and transformative institutional change.
Multidisciplinary Academic Background
Krishnan's educational journey spans multiple disciplines. He earned a five-year integrated M.Sc. in Physics from IIT Kanpur, an engineering-economic systems degree from Stanford University's School of Engineering, and a doctoral program in management and public policy from IIM Ahmedabad. As a management and policy scholar, his research focuses on innovation in India at organizational, industrial, and national levels, with publications in leading international journals in management, economics, development, and science policy.
His books, including From Jugaad to Systematic Innovation: The Challenge for India and 8 Steps to Innovation: Going from Jugaad to Excellence (co-authored with Vinay Dabholkar), have received widespread acclaim. The latter won the Best Book Award for 2013 from the Indian Society for Training and Development.
Leadership at IIMs
Krishnan has helmed two Indian Institutes of Management, completing full terms as Director of IIM Indore (2014-2018) and Director of IIM Bangalore (2020-2025). At IIM Bangalore, he established a School of Multidisciplinary Studies and led the impending launch of undergraduate programs in economics and data science. He has served on several boards, including the Higher Education Financing Agency (a joint venture between the Government of India and Canara Bank) and the Board of Management of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
National Policy Engagement
Krishnan has been deeply involved in national policy, serving on committees of the Department of Science & Technology and as a member of the Justice BN Srikrishna Committee, which proposed a data protection framework for India. He was a visiting scholar at the Centre for the Advanced Study of India, University of Pennsylvania, and held the Ram Charan Chair in Innovation and Leadership at IIM Bangalore. In 2025, IIT Kanpur honored him with its distinguished alumni award (DAA), the institute's highest alumni recognition, for his contributions to management education and thought leadership.
Reactions to the Appointment
Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Chancellor of Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR, stated, "Professor Krishnan's distinguished record as a scholar and institution builder makes him ideally suited to lead Ashoka at this important moment in its journey. At the same time, we extend our gratitude to Professor Somak Raychaudhury for his remarkable contributions to Ashoka University. His leadership has left an enduring imprint on the institution."
Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder and Trustee of Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR, added, "Rishi is among India's most respected academic leaders, with a proven track record of building institutions, nurturing innovation, and advancing excellence in higher education."
Krishnan's Vision
On his appointment, Krishnan said, "Since its inception, Ashoka University has set high standards as a new generation, research-driven institution. It is a great privilege to lead the University as its Vice Chancellor at this critical yet exciting juncture in its evolution. I look forward to working closely with the faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors, and all stakeholders to contribute to the university's continued growth and aspirations."
