Ashoka University Appoints Rishikesha T. Krishnan As New Vice-Chancellor
Ashoka University has appointed Professor Rishikesha T. Krishnan as its next Vice-Chancellor for an initial three-year term, effective August 1, 2026. He will succeed Professor Somak Raychaudhury, who will continue to be associated with the university as a scientist and professor following the completion of his tenure.The appointment follows a search and selection process conducted by a committee constituted by the university's Governing Body. Krishnan joins Ashoka after serving as Director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore from 2014 to 2018 and Director of IIM Bangalore from 2020 to 2025, where he completed full terms at both institutions.
At IIM Bangalore, Krishnan established the School of Multidisciplinary Studies and oversaw the launch of undergraduate programmes in Economics and Data Science. A management and public policy scholar, his research has focused on innovation at organisational, industrial and national levels. He has also served on the boards of the Higher Education Financing Agency and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and was a member of the Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee that proposed a data protection framework for India. In 2025, IIT Kanpur conferred on him its Distinguished Alumni Award, the institute's highest alumni recognition.
Leadership Transition
Ashoka University Chancellor Rudrangshu Mukherjee said, "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. We are delighted to welcome him to the Ashoka family and look forward to the vision and energy he will bring to this role." He also thanked Raychaudhury for his contribution, saying his leadership had left “an enduring imprint on the institution.”
Founder and Trustee Pramath Raj Sinha said, "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." He added that Krishnan's leadership would further strengthen Ashoka University's position as a research-driven institution.
Accepting the appointment, Krishnan said, “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.”
During Raychaudhury's tenure, Ashoka University established seven schools, including the Havells School of Management & Leadership, the Trivedi School of Biosciences, the Vachani School of Advanced Computing and the RK Damani School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences. The university also introduced 500 merit- and need-based scholarships and expanded collaborations with institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and the India Meteorological Department.
Established in 2014, Ashoka University has a community of more than 3,000 students and operates over 20 Centres of Excellence focused on areas including public health, energy transition, digitisation and public policy, according to the university.
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