Professor (Dr.) Jyoti Bhakare has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur, marking the beginning of a five-year term. This significant appointment was announced by the University’s Chancellor, Justice Atul S. Chandurkar of the Supreme Court. The formal notification of her appointment was issued by MNLU Nagpur’s Registrar, Deepak L. Bhagwat, on September 18.
Professor Bhakare steps into the role following the tenure of Professor (Dr.) Vijender Kumar, the founding Vice-Chancellor of the University. After Kumar’s departure, Professor (Dr.) V.P. Tiwari served as Acting Vice-Chancellor until Bhakare’s appointment.
Currently, Bhakare holds the position of Senior Professor of Law at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), where she has been serving as the Director of the University’s Law School since January 2022. Her academic career at SPPU began in 2009, and she has also held the role of Officiating Registrar from August 2024 to January 2026. Moreover, she led the Department of Law as the Head from 2019 until 2023.
Before her tenure at SPPU, Bhakare was the Officiating Principal at DES Law College, Pune, from 2004 to 2009, and prior to that, she served at Modern Law College, Pune, from 2003 to 2004. Her academic credentials include an LL.B. and an LL.M. from Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Professor Bhakare’s extensive experience and leadership skills are expected to contribute significantly to the growth and development of MNLU Nagpur, enhancing its reputation as a leading institution for legal education in India.
