Lucknow University Vice Chancellor Prof. Alok Kumar Rai Appointed Director of IIM Calcutta
The Ministry of Education has appointed Professor Alok Kumar Rai, Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University, as the new Director of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta). Professor Rai’s appointment marks a significant leadership transition at IIM Calcutta, which has not had a stable leadership for last many years. His appointment is able notable as he is one of the rare few non-IIM faculty to be appointed Director of a top IIM. The appointment follows the approval of President Droupadi Murmu in her capacity as the Visitor of IIM Calcutta under the IIM Act, 2017 (amended in 2023).
Who is Professor Alok Kumar Rai?
Professor Alok Kumar Rai is a distinguished academic, policy contributor, and institutional leader. He has served as Professor of Management at Banaras Hindu University and has held the position of Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University since December 2019. Over his academic career spanning 25 years, Rai has taught postgraduate and doctoral courses in marketing, customer relationship management, and entrepreneurship. He has authored six books, edited five, and published more than 100 scholarly works across international journals, academic periodicals, and national newspapers.
As Vice-Chancellor, Rai led the transformation of Lucknow University into a model public institution. Under his leadership, LU earned NAAC A++ accreditation, UGC Category-I status, and rose steadily in NIRF rankings, most recently securing 32nd among state universities in India. He also established new faculties in pharmacy, management, and agriculture, and led planning for the university’s third campus.
Leadership Challenges and Expectations at IIM Calcutta
Professor Rai takes charge at IIM Calcutta following a decade of leadership instability. His predecessor, Prof. Uttam Kumar Sarkar, resigned in 2023, citing personal reasons amid speculation of differences with the board. Sarkar himself had taken over after the abrupt resignation of Prof. Anju Seth in 2021. These back-to-back leadership exits had raised concerns about governance continuity at the prestigious institute.
As one of India's top-ranked management schools, IIM Calcutta holds a distinguished position globally. Established in 1961, it was the first IIM and remains the only Indian B-school to be a member of the CEMS Global Alliance in Management Education. It is also the first Indian B-school to achieve the coveted "triple crown" of international accreditations—AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. IIM Calcutta was ranked 5th in the NIRF Management Rankings 2024 and 3rd in the MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2025.
With globally ranked programs, an influential alumni base, and a reputation for academic excellence, IIM Calcutta faces both high expectations and rising global competition. Professor Rai’s appointment signals a focus on stability. It is hoped that he will bring the much-needed stability at one of India’s most iconic business schools.