Physicist Pruthul Desai named Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor for 5 years

By TUF News Desk · Published 9 November 2026 · 3 min read

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Gujarat University has a permanent Vice-Chancellor again. The Gujarat government appointed Dr Pruthul Rameshbhai Desai, a nuclear physicist and principal of a Surat science college, to the post on Saturday, 7 November 2026. He is the university’s 19th Vice-Chancellor and will serve for five years, or until he turns 65, whichever comes first.

The appointment ends more than four months of interim charge. Prof Neerja Gupta, the university’s first woman Vice-Chancellor, completed her term in June. Prof Jagdish Joshi, director of the university’s Human Resource Development Centre, has held charge since 30 June. Desai is expected to take charge around 16 November, after the Diwali vacation.

A physics teacher of 31 years

Desai, 56, has taught physics for 31 years. He specialises in nuclear physics and earned his doctorate in the subject in 2010 from Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, where he had also topped his BSc and MSc batches. His master’s degree, in electronics, dates to 1993.

He taught at Navayug Science College in Surat from December 1994 to May 2012, then became principal of Sir P T Sarvajanik College of Science, a college of more than 1,300 students. Under him the college moved from a NAAC B grade to A in 2014 and A+ with a CGPA of 3.35 in 2022, and secured autonomous status in 2024. He was secretary of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers in 2022-24. His research covers heavy-ion reactions, fission dynamics and quantum physics.

Two targets: NAAC A++ and NIRF top 50

Desai has named two goals for his term. “Presently, GU falls in the A+ category of NAAC, and I will work hard to take the university to A++ rank and also among the top 50 universities ranked by NIRF,” he told The Indian Express after the appointment. Gujarat University ranked 74th among universities in NIRF 2025, one place up from 76th the year before.

The search committee received more than 100 applications for the post before sending a panel of three names to the state government. The appointment was made under Section 10(4) of the Gujarat Public Universities Act, 2023. Under the new rules, a Vice-Chancellor’s term runs five years instead of three.

What it means for two lakh students

Gujarat University is the state’s largest affiliating university, with more than two lakh students across 235 colleges. A permanent Vice-Chancellor gives the university a full-time head after a period in which an in-charge appointee held the post. Details of the university’s programmes and affiliated colleges are on the official Gujarat University website.

For students comparing universities, our guide to how NIRF rankings work explains what goes into India’s domestic tables and where their limits lie.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the new Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat University?

Dr Pruthul Rameshbhai Desai, 56, a nuclear physicist and principal of Sir P T Sarvajanik College of Science in Surat. He was appointed on 7 November 2026 for a five-year term.

When will Pruthul Desai take charge as Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor?

He is expected to take charge around 16 November 2026, after the Diwali vacation.

Who was the Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat University before him?

Prof Jagdish Joshi held charge since 30 June 2026, after Prof Neerja Gupta, the university’s first woman Vice-Chancellor, completed her term.

What are Desai’s goals for Gujarat University?

He aims to take the university from NAAC A+ to A++ and into the NIRF top 50. Gujarat University ranked 74th among universities in NIRF 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: The Indian Express, Elets Digital Learning, DeshGujarat