Social historian and cultural anthropologist Badri Narayan Tiwari takes over as TISS V-C

Indian Express

31-07-2025

Professor Badri Narayan Tiwari from the GB Pant Social Science Institute, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, was on Wednesday appointed vice-chancellor of the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) in Mumbai, nearly two years after the institution's previous full-time head stepped down.
In an order issued on Wednesday, Ministry of Education, Government of India, stated, 'From the date of his assumption of the charge, Professor Badri Narayan will serve as V-C of TISS for a tenure of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.'
The government order was followed by an order by the GB Pant Social Science Institute, relieving him of the charge as its director and the TISS issuing a notification that he has assumed charge.
Tiwari, a social historian and cultural anthropologist, will be the first vice-chancellor appointed as per the new regulations that took effect after TISS came under the purview of the Central Government. Previously, the institute was headed by the director picked by a governing body appointed by the Tata Trust, the sponsoring organisation. The governing body established a selection committee that included a nominee from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
In September 2023, Prof Shalini Bharat stepped down from the post of vice-chancellor after completing her term of five years. Professor Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai, was then given additional charge as the TISS vice-chancellor.
UGC rules stipulate that deemed-to-be universities receiving over 50 per cent of their funding from the Government will have their heads appointed by the Central Government.
An executive council has replaced the governing council at TISS, with the government-appointed vice-chancellor serving as its chairperson. The Tata Trust is no longer the primary authority in vice-chancellor appointments.
As per the changes, the Ministry of Education appointed Professor Dhirendra Pal Singh as chancellor of the TISS in April 2024 for five years.
Educated at the University of Allahabad, Prof Badri Narayan Tiwari earned his MA and PhD in modern history. He was formerly associated with Jawaharlal Nehru University's Centre for the Study of Discrimination and Exclusion. His research spans social history, cultural anthropology and Dalit studies.
As per information shared by the TISS, Professor Tiwari's interests lie in democracy and development, popular culture, social and anthropological history, Dalit and subaltern issues and the relationship between power and culture. Besides having written a number of articles both in English and Hindi, he has recently authored 'Republic of Hindutva: How the Sangh Is Reshaping Indian Democracy'.
Some of his other books are — Fractured Tales: Invisibles in Indian Democracy', The Making of the Dalit Public in North India: Uttar Pradesh 1950-present; Women Heroes and Dalit Assertion in North India, Fascinating Hindutva – Saffron Politics and Dalit Mobilisation.
An eminent Hindi poet, Professor Tiwari is the recipient of the Sahitya academy award 2022 for his notable poetry collection 'Tumdi ke Shabd'. He is also recipient of Kanhaiya Lal Sethia Award for Poetry 2025 by Jaipur Literature Festival Committee for his contribution to Hindi poetry.