NSE CEO Ashish Chauhan, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu appointed UGC members for 3 years

The University Grants Commission (UGC), under the Ministry of Education, recently announced the appointment of four distinguished members for a three-year term. 

Among the new members are Ashish Kumar Chauhan, the Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Chennai-based Zoho Corporation.

Who is Ashish Kumar Chauhan?

Ashish Kumar Chauhan, an alumnus of IIT Bombay and IIM Calcutta, is renowned for his deep expertise in financial market policies. Having led the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) before his current tenure at NSE, Chauhan has been instrumental in pioneering several firsts in the financial market, including leading BSE to its listing in 2016.

Under his leadership, NSE has seen robust growth, including an 8% increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,975 crore for Q3 FY24. Chauhan's role at NSE is particularly noteworthy as the exchange prepares for its impending initial public offering (IPO).

Who is Sridhar Vembu?

Sridhar Vembu, the co-founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation, has extensive experience in the technology sector.

With a global workforce exceeding 15,000 employees, Zoho Corporation stands as a parent company to several technology brands, achieving sales of over $1 billion in FY23. Vembu, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021.

Academic pioneers joining the ranks

The inclusion of Professor (retd) Sachidananda Mohanty, former Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Odisha, and Professor Shashikala Gulabrao Wanjari, Vice Chancellor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, adds a rich academic flavour to the Commission. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences in academia are expected to provide valuable insights into the UGC's initiatives.