About the Vice Chancellor

Professor Ayan Bhattacharya assumed office as the Vice-Chancellor on February 26, 2026. Prior to this appointment, he served as a Professor of Sanskrit at West Bengal State University, where he undertook a pioneering role as the founder Head of the Department, serving in that capacity continuously for 10 years. He has also held key administrative positions, including Member of the University Court, Executive Council (E.C.), and IQAC, as well as Chairperson of the U.G. and P.G. Boards of Studies (BOS) at West Bengal State University.

Professor Bhattacharya is a well-known author and scholar specializing in Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika, other schools of Indian Philosophy, Vyākaraṇa, Sāhitya, Veda, and Dharmaśāstra. His teaching career in substantive posts spans over three decades across several prestigious institutions, including Ramakrishna Math Vivekananda Veda Vidyalaya, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, and West Bengal State University. He has been, and in some instances remains, associated with many reputed institutions and universities, such as Benaras Hindu University, the University of Calcutta, the R.K.M. Institute of Culture (Golpark), and Rabindra Bharati University, in various capacities including Guest Faculty and Expert Member on different committees and Boards of Studies.

Professor Bhattacharya is a distinguished contemporary Sanskrit poet and the author of the acclaimed work Padyavallari. Invited by various institutions, he has participated in many Kavi Sammelanas. In July 2010, Professor Bhattacharya was nominated by the Sahitya Akademi to represent the Sanskrit language as part of an elite delegation of 24 writers.

He was awarded the Shiksharatna Award by the Government of West Bengal in 2018 for his contribution as an outstanding teacher. He was also featured as an eminent Sanskrit scholar in an interview with DD News, which broadcasted on December 16, 2023. His academic accolades include the President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Medal for being adjudged the best student at the University of Calcutta, a gold medal for securing first place in Nyaya at the All India Elocution Contest organized by the Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD), and a gold medal for obtaining the first position in his M.A. Professor Bhattacharya is an alumnus of the erstwhile Government Sanskrit College and received a felicitation from the college for his outstanding academic results. Prof. Bhattacharya maintains a distinguished academic record, having secured First Division/First Class in all examinations from Madhyamik through his Master’s degree. Notably, he ranked first class first in both his BA (Sanskrit Honours) and MA (Sanskrit with Specialization in Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika Philosophy) at the University of Calcutta.

He has made notable contributions to the promotion of Sanskrit studies. He served as a member of a three-member committee constituted by the Calcutta High Court for the renovation of Sanskrit TOLs in West Bengal. He rendered rigorous and diligent service in his pioneering role as the founder Head of newly established Sanskrit departments in two universities and took part in framing a unique syllabus designed to groom students in the study of Sanskrit Shastras. He is constantly engaged in making Sanskrit popular and interesting through his unique teaching techniques, encouraging students to explore the depths of Shastric texts and inspiring research scholars to produce original work that offers fresh perspectives. To date, 15 research scholars have obtained their Ph.D. degrees and 12 scholars have obtained their M.Phil. degrees under his supervision. He has authored or edited five books and has more than 70 research papers to his credit, which have been published and/or presented at seminars.

Professor Bhattacharya's full academic Cv may be accessed here.

Message from the HOn'ble Vice Chancellor

The Sanskrit College and University stands as a magnificent confluence of ancient tradition and modern intellectual inquiry. Since its inception in 1824, this institution has served as a premier bastion of Sanskrit learning, not only within India but on the global stage. It has been graced by the presence and wisdom of many intellectual stalwarts such as Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Mahamahopadhyay Pandit Mahesh Chandra Nyayaratna, Mahamahopadhyay Pandit Haraprasad Shastri, Surendranath Dasgupta, among many other illustrious scholars.

The pedagogical sanctity of this institution was built upon the rigorous teaching of the TOL and Mahāchārya departments and the curriculum historically encompassed all the disciplines of Sanskrit Studies. Cultivating a diverse intellectual landscape, the institution effectively bridged traditional and modern scholarship by incorporating disciplines such as Pali, Linguistics, and Ancient Indian and World History, further enriched by the inclusion of the Departments of Bengali, English, and Philosophy.

Our university serves as a custodian of an invaluable heritage, housing a repository of rare manuscripts and countless out-of-print scholarly texts. Our library was once a vibrant hub where scholars from across the globe converged to conduct research and engage in deep intellectual exchange. Having been a part of this institution myself as a student, I have witnessed the glimmers of the past glory of both the Anglo-Sanskrit and TOL (Traditional Oriental Learning) departments, when the campus vibrated with the profound discourses and scholarly presence of world-renowned academics.

The transition of this historic college into a University following the Legislative Act XXXIII of 2015 — a visionary initiative by the Government of West Bengal — marks a pivotal moment in our history. The mandate of our University Act is clear: to rejuvenate our legacy, preserve our classical roots, and elevate our standards to contemporary global requirements. While we acknowledge that the institution faces the challenge of reclaiming the zenith of its past glory, this transformation provides the framework to restore its position as a world-class centre of excellence.

As Vice-Chancellor, my primary objective is to lead this university in alignment with our statutory mandate. I am committed to revitalizing our academic ecosystem and fostering a culture of excellence in both Sanskrit and its allied humanistic studies.

I invite our esteemed faculty, dedicated staff, scholars and students to join me in this endeavour. Through our collective stewardship and collaborative efforts, I am confident that we will steer this university toward a future worthy of its illustrious past.

Professor Dr. Ayan Bhattacharya
Vice Chancellor
The Sanskrit College and University