After Two Years Of Turmoil, Ajit Ranade Resigns As Gokhale Institute VC

After nearly two years of controversy over his appointment, Ajit Ranade has resigned as the Vice Chancellor of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE), Pune.

While it is not yet known why Ranade chose to put in his papers, in his letter to the Chancellor of GIPE, Sanjeev Sanyal, he cites personal reasons for his decision. He also emphasizes in the letter that his resignation does not imply conceding that there were any 'defect or ineligibility' in his appointment as Vice Chancellor.

Curiously, his resignation comes barely two weeks after he was re-appointed as the VC by Sanyal.

The charges around Ranade's appointment and tenure can be summarised under three headings:

1. Ranade not being eligible to be considered for post of VC

2. Ranade rigging the selection process for the post of VC

3. Financial improprieties as VC

Eligibility

As per University Grants Commission (UGC) norms, a Vice-Chancellor is required to have 10 years of continuous teaching experience as a professor at a recognised academic institution. The charge on Ranade was that he did not meet this criterion and was yet appointed as the VC.

Selection process

Ranade was alleged to still be a member of the Board of Management of GIPE when the board was meeting to determine the committee that would ultimately select a new VC for the institute. He is alleged to have attended the meetings that were held to deliberate over the formation of the committee.

In fact, when the committee was formed and invited to Ranade to apply for the post of VC, he was still said to be a member of GIPE's management board.

As per UGC norms, this alone should have disqualified from being considered as a candidate for the post of VC.

Financial improprieties

As Vice Chancellor, Ranade was alleged to have facilitated the diversion of GIPE's funds in a way that eventually benefited the business interests of a private individual. This individual was an office-bearer of the Servants of India Society (SIS), the sponsoring body of GIPE. 

The 'Ranade at GIPE' controversy: A timeline

Prior to taking over as VC of the Gokhale Institute in 2022, Ranade was known as an economist and political analyst.

Ranade holds a PhD in Economics from Brown University, along with credentials from IIT Bombay and IIM Ahmedabad. He has also held various academic and corporate roles, the most prominent being the Chief Economist at the Aditya Birla Group.

Here's a timeline of the controversy around his appointment, dismissal, re-appointment, and resignation.

2021

Ranade, who had been part of the Board of the Management of GIPE, is allegedly present in meetings that take place to determine the procedures and nominations related to the formation of the ‘Search-cum-Selection Committee' for the appointment of the VC.

September 

The said committee, with Ranade still being on the BoM, invites Ranade to apply for the post of the VC. Ranade expresses willingness. 

October

Ranade resigns from the BoM only in late October 2021 while allegedly being a member of it all this while. 

Ranade is appointed as Vice Chancellor of GIPE

2023

—In December, a faculty member complains to the University Grants Commission (UGC) that Ranade’s appointment as VC violated the requirement of ten years of teaching experience. 

—Following this, the then Chancellor of GIPE, Dr Rajiv Kumar, issues a show cause notice to Ranade, asking why appropriate action must not be initiated against him for not possessing the required qualifications. 

2024

In late June, the UGC requests an action-taken report from GIPE and says that it would initiate its own inquiry on Ranade's appointment if no action was reported.

July

Dr Bibek Debroy is appointed Chancellor of GIPE. He sets up a Fact Finding Committee (FFC) to look into the issue. 

September

—FFC concludes that it is ‘legally untenable’ for Ranade to continue in his position. This report is submitted on 13 September. 

—On 14 September, acting on the findings of the FFC, Chancellor Dr Bibek Debroy terminates Ranade’s appointment with immediate effect. 

—Ranade seeks some time to 'complete certain formalities'. Chancellor pushes termination to 21 September, 2024. In the meantime, Ranade filed a petition with the Bombay High Court, challenging the decision.

—Court grants Ranade interim relief, allowing him to continue in his role until at least 7 October, 2024. 

—Following court’s stay to Ranade, Dr Bibek Debroy resigns as Chancellor of GIPE on 26 September. In a letter to UGC Chairman, Debroy says that GIPE now stands in direct violation to UGC stipulations on Deemed to be Universities.

October

—On 6 October, economist and Bibek Debroy's colleague in the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, Sanjeev Sanyal, is appointed as the Chancellor of GIPE.

—Even as the case in the Bombay HC keeps getting postponed, Sanyal re-appoints Ranade as the Vice Chancellor of GIPE on 22 October and informs the HC of the same. In his order, Sanyal says: "The order of recall is issued solely to ensure procedural fairness and uphold the reputation of the institute, with utmost respect to the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court". GIPE students and faculty were reportedly not pleased with Ranade's re-appointment.

—Ranade withdraws his case in the court.

November

—News breaks on 4 November that Ajit Ranade has resigned as the Vice Chancellor of GIPE, barely two weeks after his re-appointment. Ranade cites personal reasons as the cause for his resignation.

Chance for GIPE to start afresh

It is possible that Ranade's decision to quit was driven by the continued controversy over his appointment process and tenure, as also internal opposition—both in GIPE as well as the Servants of India Society.

Now, Chancellor Sanjeev Sanyal is expected to set up a search-cum-selection committee that will shortlist candidates for a new VC.

The new incumbent will have the challenge and opportunity to start afresh and provide stability at the top after two years of controversy.