New Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is witnessing a transformative phase under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif, who has completed one year in office this month. His tenure has been marked by academic expansion, implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, administrative efficiency, and global engagement — setting new benchmarks in institutional governance.
The completion of Prof. Asif’s first year coincides with JMI’s 105th Foundation Day and the start of its Talimi Mela 2025, which begins on October 29 and will run until November 3. This six-day celebration — the longest since the COVID-19 pandemic — symbolizes the university’s revival of cultural vibrancy and academic leadership. The festival is being organized under the leadership of Prof. Asif and Registrar Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi.
Historic Rise in Global Rankings
Under Prof. Asif’s stewardship, JMI has recorded remarkable progress in both national and international rankings.
In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, JMI climbed to the 401–500 band, emerging as the top-ranked Central University and the third-highest-ranked institution in India, improving from the 501–600 band last year.
In the NIRF 2025 India Rankings, JMI secured 4th position in the University category and retained its 13th rank overall. Notably, in a newly introduced NIRF category on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), JMI earned third position, affirming its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Academic Expansion and NEP Implementation
With strong support from the Ministry of Education, JMI has launched new academic programs aligned with NEP 2020. The university introduced undergraduate programmes in German Studies and Japanese Studies, along with an Advanced Diploma in Child Guidance and Counseling, to foster multilingual and intercultural competence among students.
The Ministry has also approved six new faculty posts for the Department of Library and Information Science, a significant move that strengthens a department which had operated without permanent faculty since 1985. Additionally, funding has been sanctioned to start the MDS (Postgraduate Programme) in Dentistry, a major boost for JMI’s Faculty of Dentistry.
A member of the NEP 2020 drafting and monitoring committee himself, Prof. Asif has ensured that JMI is among the first Central Universities to achieve complete NEP compliance across all programmes. The university has also initiated courses under the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) framework to integrate India’s civilizational knowledge and traditional wisdom with modern education.
Administrative Transparency and Welfare Initiatives
Prof. Asif and Prof. Rizvi have emphasized transparency, staff welfare, and timely administration. Over the past year, more than 55 teachers and 300 non-teaching staff members have received long-pending promotions. Salaries for contractual and Grade 3 & 4 employees, earlier delayed for months, are now disbursed within the first week of every month.
In a unique initiative, the administration has institutionalized monthly Farewell-cum-Felicitation ceremonies to honor retiring staff, where retirement benefits are handed over the same day — a gesture widely appreciated across the JMI community.
Global Outreach and Cultural Diplomacy
Strengthening international collaborations, JMI has created new offices — Dean, International Relations, Dean, Academic Affairs, and Dean, Alumni Affairs — to streamline academic partnerships and alumni engagement. The university hosted ambassadors and cultural attachés from over 15 countries during the Orientation Programme for foreign students and inaugurated a dedicated Iranology Hall to promote cultural research and dialogue.
Recognizing Prof. Asif’s contribution to the promotion of Hindi as Rajbhasha, the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, appointed him as President of the Town Official Language Implementation Committee (Delhi Central-1), overseeing 191 Central Government offices. The committee’s second meeting is scheduled during the Talimi Mela on October 31.
Student-Centric Reforms and Digital Initiatives
In a major digital push, JMI has introduced online issuance of provisional marksheets and streamlined evaluation systems for timely declaration of results. The administration has also personally overseen Deeksharambh, the UGC-mandated Student Induction Programme, welcoming new students to JMI’s diverse academic environment.
Vision for the Future
Reflecting on the first year, Prof. Asif and Prof. Rizvi stated:
“Our collective effort has been to make Jamia a distinctive institution of national and international excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. As we build on the legacy of the past 105 years, we are confident that with the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, JMI will continue to scale new heights.”
With its renewed academic vigor, policy-driven reforms, and global outlook, Jamia Millia Islamia under Prof. Mazhar Asif’s leadership is indeed scripting a new chapter in higher education excellence.
