New Delhi: The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) in Pune is set for a third leadership change in a year after its founding society removed chancellor Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), and appointed retired Maharashtra High Court Judge S.C. Dharmadhikari in his place.
Sanyal was appointed as the chancellor in October last year. His appointment came days after economist Bibek Debroy, former chairperson of the EAC-PM, resigned from GIPE chancellorship just three months in the office.
Debroy’s resignation, in turn, came amid a controversy over the removal of vice-chancellor Ajit Ranade in September, 2024. Despite getting a stay from the court, Ranade stepped down as the V-C in November, citing “personal reasons”.
“Gokhale Institute is the ‘Crown’ of Servants of India Society and it is difficult for us to see the downfall of the Institute’s credentials as it, recently, got B grade in NAAC accreditation. This has happened despite the historical legacy and high reputation of Gokhale Institute,” Damodhar Sahoo, president of the the Servants of India Society (SIS), wrote in a letter addressed to Sanyal.
ThePrint has a copy of the SIS letter, dated 2 April.
“This has not only raised concerns for us but also caused pain. What is more worrisome, is that there are no concrete steps and initiatives from your side to improve the situation. We have learned that the GIPE activities have been severely affected during the tenure of professor Shankar Das as interim V-C of GIPE. Also, the admissions of students into various programmes of the Institute would be affected. The placements of students would be also affected as GIPE has slipped into B.Grade which brought disrepute to GIPE,” the letter stated.
The SIS, it added, felt that there was no concrete plan of action for GIPE that he provided.
“Hence, we are of the view that we would appoint an able Chancellor who would get involved into bringing the Institute to its earlier reputation. We wish you good luck and thank you for serving our Institute.”
In a related development, an official ‘X’ handle of the GIPE, a deemed university, on Thursday night contradicted “rumours” of Sanyal’s departure.
“It has been brought to our notice that there are rumours of a change in leadership at GIPE. We would like to clarify that there have been no changes as per UGC norms and our Chancellor Sanjeev Sanyal and interim V-C continue to steer the institute as before,” the post read.
It has been brought to our notice that there are rumours of a change in leadership at GIPE. We would like to clarify that there have been no changes as per UGC norms and our Chancellor Sanjeev Sanyal and interim VC continue to steer the institute as before
— Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (@gipe_official) April 3, 2025
The SIS, meanwhile, Thursday wrote to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and informed about its decision.
“On behalf of Servants of India Society, I would like to inform the UGC, New Delhi regarding the appointment of a new Chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. Justice S.C Dharmadhikari (Retd) has been appointed as the new Chancellor of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune starting 02 April 2025,” stated a letter sent by Sahoo to the UGC chairperson, a copy of which is with ThePrint.
ThePrint reached Sanyal and UGC chairperson M. Jagadesh Kumar via phone call and messages for their statements. This report will be updated as and when their responses are received.
“At this moment we do not know who is handling the X account of the institution. The Society has already communicated its decision to the UGC,” SIS secretary M.B. Deshmukh told ThePrint.
Sahoo, meanwhile, told ThePrint that while Sanyal is a renowned economist, his engagement with the institute fell short of expectations. “We had reached out to him with concerns about the recruitment process at the institute, but did not receive any response. It became clear that he had no plan of action for the institute, and for us, the institution’s prestige is paramount. We are not doubting his abilities as an economist,” the SIS president asserted.
Rules flouted?
GIPE’s interim vice-chancellor Shankar Das sent a letter to Sahoo, raising objections to the sudden appointment of a new Chancellor.
“As per UGC regulations, the Chancellor is appointed for a fixed term of five years, with eligibility for reappointment for one additional term. Sanjeev Sanyal was duly appointed as Chancellor of GIPE in October 2024, as widely reported and acknowledged, including in his public statement on 6 October, and subsequent institutional actions under his leadership. The institute community was extremely pleased to have Sanjeev Sanyal, a renowned economist, environmentalist, and urban theorist, as Chancellor,” Das stated in the letter Thursday. “His term, therefore, extends until October 2029.”
A thorough review of the UGC regulations reveals no process for the removal of a chancellor during this fixed term, he added. “This absence of a removal mechanism underscores that the Chancellor is meant to serve the full five-year tenure, ensuring stability and continuity in the governance of the institution.”
Established in 1930 by the Servants of India Society, the GIPE is the oldest research and training institute in economics in the country. “It is dedicated to research into the socio-economic dimensions of Indian society and carries forward the legacy of Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Gokhale was the one who founded the Servants of India Society in 1905,” the GIPE website reads.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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