Prof Sangita Srivastava
The appointment, approved by President Droupadi Murmu in her capacity as Visitor of the university, takes effect from Sept 16, 2026 and will be for five years or until Prof Srivastava attains the age of 70, whichever is earlier. Her completion of the full five-year term in 2025 was itself significant. Prof Rajen Harshe, who served from Oct 14, 2005 to Oct 13, 2010, was the first regular VC of the university after it received Central University status to complete a full five-year term. The university’s official list of former vice-chancellors records Harshe’s five-year tenure, followed by a series of shorter or officiating tenures before Prof Srivastava took charge in 2020. The university appointed 377 faculty members and 616 non-teaching staff during her tenure, while promotions were granted to nearly 1,000 employees, according to an earlier report.
PRAYAGRAJ: In a first in the history of Allahabad University, Prof Sangita Srivastava has been reappointed as its vice-chancellor for a second term, giving her another five years at the helm of the varsity. With her second appointment, Prof Srivastava now becomes the first VC in AU’s history to return for another full term. The development also means that, for the first time since AU became a Central University, a regular vice-chancellor will serve two consecutive terms. During her first tenure, Srivastava oversaw a number of administrative and academic initiatives, including large-scale recruitment and promotions.
The Union education ministry conveyed the decision to the university registrar through an official letter (dated Sept 22 and signed by Under Sec Rajesh Kumar), stating that the President had been pleased to appoint Prof Srivastava as VC for a second term. Prof Srivastava took charge as the regular VC of Allahabad University on Nov 30, 2020, becoming the first woman to hold the post and the first faculty member of the university to head it after AU became a Central University in 2005. The Union education ministry’s letter was issued on Sept 22, the day Prof Srivastava turned 62, having been born on Sept 22, 1964. The appointment letter reached Allahabad University on Sept 23, which is also the varsity’s foundation day — the university was established on Sept 23, 1887. At 62, her fresh five-year term also means that, if completed in full, Prof Srivastava will be 67 when her second term ends.
Her terms and conditions of service will continue to be governed by the university’s Act, Statutes and Ordinances. There were also two notable coincidences surrounding the appointment.
