Jaipur: Rajasthan University’s newly appointed vice-chancellor, Prof Bhagwati Prasad Saraswat, who took charge Saturday, said students were the reason a university existed and assured that he would work to ensure they faced no hardship. He also promised to initiate the process for clearing pending teacher promotions within the next 1-1.5 months and seek state govt support for university employees’ pensions.
Rajasthan University VC Prof Bhagwati Prasad Saraswat took charge at RU in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 26 September 2026
Saraswat, who took charge from Prof Alpana Kateja, said he would review pending teacher promotion cases within 10 days. He also said he would request chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to extend state govt pension support to university employees.Addressing concerns over his political background, Saraswat, who previously served as BJP’s Ajmer Rural district president, said he would not disown his ideology but maintained that it would not influence his functioning as VC. “My ideology has taught me that once I occupy this position, all work must be done properly, without discrimination or favouritism. No student, teacher or anyone else in the university will suffer any loss,” he said.
Rajasthan University VC Prof Bhagwati Prasad Saraswat took charge at RU in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 26 September 2026
Having studied at Rajasthan University in 1977, Saraswat said he considered himself fortunate to have been entrusted with its leadership. He said he wanted to fulfil the role of a ‘kulguru’ by addressing the needs of everyone, from students to employees.“Students are the reason a university exists. I will ensure that no student, whether in the first year or pursuing a PhD, faces hardship and receives justice,” he said.
Rajasthan University VC Prof Bhagwati Prasad Saraswat took charge at RU in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 26 September 2026
Saraswat said he would hear student grievances every day and seek direct interaction with students. He added that he had removed the fixed meeting-hours notice outside the VC’s office during his tenure at Kota University.On academic reforms, he said the university would work towards implementing the flexibility offered under National Education Policy, allowing students to choose subjects across disciplines and acquire skills beyond degrees.Students burn Kateja’s effigyBox: On the last working day of Rajasthan University VC Prof Alpana Kateja, students staged a protest and burnt her effigy on campus. Student representatives said the university is now freed from a “dictatorial and anti-student” VC.
