When will Prof Alok Kumar Rai take charge at IIM Calcutta?

He is expected to assume office within four weeks of the Ministry of Education's notification, following formal relieval from Lucknow University.

Who was the last full-time director of IIM Calcutta?

Prof Uttam Kumar Sarkar, who stepped down in November 2023; Prof Saibal Chattopadhyay has been Director-in-Charge since then.

Lucknow University VC Alok Kumar Rai Appointed Director of IIM Calcutta

Introduction

The Indian management-education landscape received a major shake-up on 15 July 2025 when President Droupadi Murmu approved the appointment of Prof Alok Kumar Rai, Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University, as the next Director of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C). With IIM-C functioning under interim heads for almost two years, Rai’s five-year term is expected to bring long-awaited stability and fresh vision.

Who is Prof Alok Kumar Rai?

Academic pedigree – B.Sc. (University of Allahabad), MBA (BHU) and PhD (VBS Purvanchal University).
Leadership track record – Youngest VC of Lucknow University (2019), re-appointed for a second term in 2022; held additional charge at AKTU, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University and Dr B.R. Ambedkar University.
Research & outreach – 100+ papers, six books and editorial roles with Elsevier, Sage and Inderscience journals.

Quick fact: Under his stewardship LU earned an NAAC A++ grade and entered both NIRF Top-100 and the QS World University Rankings.

Why the Appointment Matters

First non-IIM alumnus at IIM-C in decades – Signals openness to diverse academic leadership.
Bridging university & B-school cultures – Rai’s dual experience may foster stronger university–industry ecosystems nationwide.
Strategic timing – IIM-C is rolling out an executive PhD, Infrastructure-Management course and a fully online MBA from 2025-26. A steady director is crucial for these launches.

Career Highlights That Shaped Rai’s Vision

Year	Milestone	Impact
2012	Publishes Customer Relationship Management: Concepts & Cases	Becomes a go-to voice on CRM in India
2019	Becomes VC, Lucknow University	Introduces digital governance & doubles research grants
2022	Secures second LU term with A++ NAAC	Validates reform success
2025	Named Director, IIM Calcutta	Tasked with globalising India’s oldest IIM

Expected Priorities at IIM Calcutta

Global rankings push – Leverage international journal network to improve FT & QS standings.
Industry-integrated research – Expand case-study collaborations, especially in emerging sectors (AI, infra, fintech).
Student well-being & safety – After recent campus incidents, reinforce zero-tolerance policies and counselling support.
Digital-first pedagogy – Build on LU’s e-governance success to enhance hybrid and online MBAs.

Reactions from Academia

“A refreshing break from the ‘IIM-for-IIMs’ cycle,” notes an IIM-C faculty member, while others worry about culture fit.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel called it “a proud moment for state universities seeking national leadership roles.”

What Happens to Lucknow University?

The Uttar Pradesh government will appoint an interim VC; insiders say a senior dean may get temporary charge until a full search is completed. LU officials expect Rai to continue mentoring flagship projects such as the LU Research Park remotely.

FAQs

Question	Short Answer
1. When will Prof Rai take charge at IIM-C?	After completing relieving formalities at Lucknow University; the MoE notice cites “within four weeks of order”.
2. Who was IIM-C’s last full-time director?	Prof Uttam Kumar Sarkar resigned in Nov 2023; Prof Saibal Chattopadhyay has been Director-in-Charge since.
3. Will Rai’s appointment affect LU students?	Minimal—coursework & exams are overseen by deans; only strategic decisions await the new VC.
4. What are Rai’s research specialisations?	Customer Relationship Management, consumer loyalty and ethics in management education.
5. Is this the first time a state-university VC will lead an IIM?	Yes, making it a precedent for future cross-institutional leadership.

FAQ Schema (copy-paste into your blog’s header or via SEO plugin)

Key Take-aways for Readers

Historic crossover – A state-university VC now helms an IIM, signalling broader talent pipelines for India’s top B-schools.
Strategic reforms ahead – Expect curriculum innovation and global-research partnerships under Rai.
Watch this space – With IIM-C launching new programmes in infrastructure and online MBAs, the institute’s trajectory could influence management education nationwide.

Bookmark this post or subscribe to our newsletter for real-time updates on Prof Rai’s strategic roadmap at IIM Calcutta.

Internal link suggestion: