MNLU Nagpur: Prof Jyoti Bhakare Appointed New VC

• Prof (Dr) Jyoti Bhakare has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur, for a five-year term.
• The appointment was made by the University's Chancellor, Supreme Court Justice Atul S Chandurkar, with notification issued on September 18.
• Prof Bhakare succeeds founding VC Prof (Dr) Vijender Kumar, with Prof (Dr) VP Tiwari having served as Acting VC.
• She previously held roles including Senior Professor of Law and Director of the Law School at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) since 2009.
• Her extensive background also includes serving as Officiating Registrar at SPPU and Officiating Principal at DES Law College and Modern Law College in Pune.

Prof Jyoti Bhakare MNLU Nagpur VC succeeds Prof (Dr) Vijender Kumar, who served as the university's founding Vice-Chancellor.

Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur, has announced the appointment of Prof (Dr) Jyoti Bhakare as its new Vice-Chancellor (VC). This significant leadership change sees Prof Bhakare stepping into the role for a five-year term, marking a new chapter for the institution. The formal notification of her appointment was issued on September 18 by MNLU Nagpur Registrar Deepak L Bhagwat.

The appointment was officially made by the University's Chancellor, Justice Atul S Chandurkar of the Supreme Court, underscoring the high-level endorsement of this decision. Prof Jyoti Bhakare MNLU Nagpur VC succeeds Prof (Dr) Vijender Kumar, who served as the university's founding Vice-Chancellor. Following Prof Kumar's departure, Prof (Dr) VP Tiwari had temporarily assumed responsibilities as the Acting VC, ensuring continuity during the transition period.

This move signifies a pivotal moment for MNLU Nagpur as it welcomes a new leader to guide its academic and administrative direction. The structured process, involving the Chancellor and Registrar, highlights the formal governance mechanisms in place for such key appointments within national law universities.

Prof Jyoti Bhakare brings a wealth of academic and administrative experience to her new position at MNLU Nagpur. Prior to this appointment, she held the distinguished title of Senior Professor of Law at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), where her contributions to legal education have been substantial. Her tenure at SPPU dates back to 2009, when she first joined the university's law faculty.

Her leadership roles at SPPU include serving as the Director of the University's Law School since January 2022, demonstrating her commitment to academic administration. Furthermore, Prof Bhakare was the Officiating Registrar for SPPU between August 2024 and January 2026, and she also headed the Department of Law from 2019 to 2023. These diverse experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of university operations and academic governance.

Before her long and impactful career at SPPU, Prof Bhakare held principal positions at other notable institutions in Pune. She served as the Officiating Principal at DES Law College from 2004 to 2009, and prior to that, at Modern Law College from 2003 to 2004. Her academic foundation includes an LL.B. and an LL.M., both earned from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, solidifying her credentials in legal scholarship.

The selection of Prof Jyoti Bhakare as the new Vice-Chancellor of Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur VC is a significant development for legal education in India. Her extensive background, spanning over two decades in various academic and administrative capacities, positions her well to lead one of the nation's prominent law institutions. The appointment by Justice Atul S Chandurkar MNLU appointment, a Supreme Court judge and the university's Chancellor, underscores the importance placed on strong leadership for such institutions.

As the MNLU Nagpur new Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bhakare is expected to leverage her experience from Savitribai Phule Pune University Prof Bhakare, where she held multiple key roles, to further enhance the academic rigor and institutional standing of MNLU Nagpur. Her leadership will be crucial in shaping the curriculum, fostering research, and guiding the university's strategic direction over the next five years. This transition from a founding VC to a new leader with a strong academic and administrative pedigree is vital for the continued growth and evolution of the university.

This news primarily serves as an informational update on leadership changes within a prominent Indian legal academic institution and does not present direct, immediate practical implications for practicing lawyers or compliance officers.

Source: Original reporting via Bar and Bench