Who is Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit?
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is a distinguished Indian academician, political scientist, and the first woman to serve as the Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. With a career spanning over three decades in higher education and political theory, she is known for her scholarly contributions in international relations, environmental governance, and public policy. Her appointment in February 2022 marked a historic moment in Indian academia.
| Field | Information |
| Full Name | Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit |
| Date of Birth | 15 July 1962 |
| Age | 63 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Saint Petersburg, USSR (now Russia) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Academic, Political Scientist |
| Current Position | Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) |
| Known For | First woman Vice-Chancellor of JNU |
| Alma Mater | JNU (New Delhi), Presidency College (Chennai) |
| Languages Known | Tamil, Telugu, English, Hindi, and Sanskrit |
| Research Interests | Indian foreign policy, South-South relations, political thought |
| Years Active | 1988–present |
| Awards & Honors | Gold Medalist, multiple academic accolades |
| Marital Status | Not publicly disclosed |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit Early Life
Santishree was born on 15 July 1962 in Saint Petersburg (then Leningrad), USSR. Her unique birthplace reflects her mother’s professional posting as a Tamil and Telugu professor in Russia. Growing up in a scholarly household, Santishree was exposed to diverse cultures and disciplines from an early age. Her father, Dhulipudi Anjaneyulu, was a noted civil servant and journalist, which further influenced her intellectual and nationalistic perspectives.
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit Education
Santishree Pandit is an alumna of Presidency College, Chennai, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Social Psychology, graduating as a gold medalist. She then pursued a Master’s in Political Science, again excelling academically.
She continued her education at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, where she completed her MPhil and PhD in International Relations from the School of International Studies.
She further enriched her academic credentials with:
- A Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach
- A Diploma in Peace & Conflict Studies from Uppsala University, Sweden
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit Family
| Relation | Name | Description |
| Father | Dhulipudi Anjaneyulu | Bureaucrat, journalist, author |
| Mother | Mulamoodi Adilakshmi | Professor of Tamil and Telugu |
| Husband | Niranjan. B. Pandit | Prefers privacy regarding personal life |
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit Career
Santishree began her teaching career as a Lecturer at Goa University (1988–1993). She later moved to Savitribai Phule Pune University, where she joined as a faculty member in the Department of Politics and Public Administration and rose to the position of Professor in 2006.
Notable Achievements:
- Supervised 29+ PhD scholars
- Authored several academic books, including:
- Parliament and Foreign Policy in India
- Restructuring Environmental Governance in Asia – Ethics and Policy
- Specializing in subjects like foreign policy, environmental politics, South-South cooperation, and political thought.
She has been involved with prestigious institutions such as:
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
- Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS)
- Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
Vice-Chancellorship at JNU
On 7 February 2022, Dr. Pandit was appointed as the 13th Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, making her the first woman to hold the post. Her tenure aims to bring academic modernization while fostering a disciplined and inclusive learning atmosphere. She emphasizes gender-sensitive policies, student welfare, and nationalistic academic values aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit Controversies
Shortly after her appointment, an unverified Twitter handle impersonating her name stirred controversy with politically charged and communal tweets. These were later disowned by Santishree, who clarified that she does not have a Twitter account.
In July 2025, she attracted attention again by skipping a mandatory conference of vice-chancellors without prior government approval. The Ministry of Education sought an explanation regarding her absence, which sparked discussions about transparency and protocol in academic administration.
Current Status
As of 2025, Dr. Santishree continues to serve as the Vice-Chancellor of JNU. She is actively engaged in shaping the university’s future through interdisciplinary initiatives, administrative reforms, and policy alignment with national objectives. Her leadership style combines strong academic grounding with a nationalist vision.
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit Net Worth
| Source | Estimated Value |
| Academic Salary (Govt.) | ₹20–25 Lakhs annually |
| Consultancy & Publications | ₹5–10 Lakhs annually |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | ₹1.2–1.5 Crores (INR) |
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit Social Media
| Platform | Status |
| No official account | |
| Not confirmed | |
| Not publicly active | |
| Not publicly active |
Physical Appearance
| Feature | Details |
| Height | Approx. 5’3″ (160 cm) |
| Build | Medium |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Style | Professional/Formal |
Interesting Facts about Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit
- First Woman VC of JNU: She created history in 2022 by becoming the first-ever female Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), breaking a 52-year tradition.
- Born in Russia: Santishree was born in Saint Petersburg, USSR (now Russia), while her mother was on an academic assignment abroad.
- Multilingual Scholar: She is fluent in Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, Hindi, English, and has working knowledge of a few foreign languages as well.
- Gold Medalist: She topped her class in both undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Presidency College, Chennai.
- Global Academic Footprint: She studied in three countries—India, USA, and Sweden, earning degrees and diplomas in Political Science, Social Work, and Peace Studies.
- Father was a Journalist & Bureaucrat: Her father, Dhulipudi Anjaneyulu, was a noted journalist, author, and a senior government official.
- Guided Over 29 PhD Scholars: As a professor, she has mentored numerous doctoral students in political science and public policy.
- Outspoken Yet Reserved: Though she maintains a low profile personally, her academic and political opinions are often bold and nationally aligned.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit?
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is an Indian academician and the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), with expertise in political science and international relations.
Q2. Where was Santishree Pandit born?
She was born in Saint Petersburg, USSR (now Russia) on 15 July 1962.
Q3. What is her educational background?
She studied at Presidency College, Chennai, and JNU, New Delhi, and later obtained diplomas from California State University and Uppsala University.
Q4. Which university did she work at before joining JNU?
Before JNU, she was a Professor at Savitribai Phule Pune University in the Department of Politics and Public Administration.
Q5. What are her academic interests?
Her core areas include foreign policy, South-South cooperation, environmental governance, and political thought.
Q6. Is Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit married?
She has kept her marital and personal life private, and no verified public information is available.
Q7. Was she involved in any controversy?
Yes, including a controversy over a fake Twitter account and a government notice in 2025 for missing an official vice-chancellor conference.
Q8. What is her current role?
She is currently serving as the Vice-Chancellor of JNU, focusing on academic reforms, NEP implementation, and institutional development.
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