Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University
The vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University is the chief administrator, and a full-time salaried officer of the Banaras Hindu University. The vice-chancellor derives their powers from sections 7 and 7 of the Banaras Hindu University Act and from the statutes of the said act.
Although the chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, preceding the vice-chancellor, is "head of the university" under the BHU Act, it is only a titular position. The vice-chancellor is the principal executive and principal academic officer of the university. She or he is the ex-officio chairperson of the Executive Council, the Academic Council, and the Finance Committee of the university.
Applications for the appointment of vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University are invited openly by the Ministry of Education, which shortlists candidates interviewed by its search committee. The shortlisted candidates are recommended to the President of India. Upon their satisfaction, the president appoints the vice-chancellor. Per the BHU Act, vice-chancellors of the university have a three-year tenure in the office. They are, however, eligible for a second term of appointment upon expiration of the first term with preferably not more than 67 years of age. The maximum age for holding the office is 70 years. When a vice-chancellor leaves office by the means of retirement, resignation, death, or ill-health, the rector assumes the office as officiating vice-chancellor to avoid interregnum.
During the British Indian and Indian Dominion administration, the appointments were made by the Governor General.
There have been 29 vice-chancellors since the establishment of the university. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi was appointed as the 29th Vice-Chancellor in July 2025, and took charge on 1 August 2025.