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JNU Adopts 'Kulguru' As Gender-Neutral Hindi Title For Vice Chancellor
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JNU has replaced the Hindi term "Kulpati" with "Kulguru" for Vice-Chancellor, aiming for a more gender-neutral title, as proposed by VC Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit.
JNU Latest News: In an important change, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has decided to replace the Hindi word 'Kulpati" (which means head of an institution) with 'Kulguru" (which means teacher) as the official Hindi title for the Vice-Chancellor. The new term is meant to be more gender-neutral. This proposal was made by JNU Vice-Chancellor Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit during a recent meeting of the university's working council.
In 2022, while speaking at an event, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised that official titles should always be gender-neutral to prevent any future controversies. She mentioned that an important Executive Council meeting was scheduled for September 14, where she would propose replacing the term Kulpati with Kulguru.
She added, 'When I joined this university, everyone used 'he' instead of 'she' — even on official documents. But I've since made sure that it's changed to 'she' wherever applicable." She also supported the growing demand to replace Kulpati with Kulguru going forward.
JNU's decision follows similar steps taken in other states. In February, the Rajasthan government introduced the Rajasthan Universities' Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aiming to replace 'Kulpati" and 'Pratikulpati" (Pro-Vice Chancellor) with 'Kulguru" and 'Pratikulguru" in all state university laws written in Hindi.
The Bill, which was passed in March, explains that the Vice-Chancellor is both the executive and academic head of a university, and that the new terms reflect the traditional guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple tradition) from India's ancient education system.
Similarly, in July last year, the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved a proposal to adopt the term 'Kulguru" for Vice-Chancellors. The state government said the new title conveys a sense of affinity, affection, and respect, and the move was approved by the Council of State Ministers.
First Published:
June 03, 2025, 12:53 IST
