Dr Panda takes charge as Palampur varsity VC

Dr Ashok Kumar Panda has officially assumed charge as the Vice-Chancellor of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur. Born in Odisha, Dr Panda graduated in veterinary science from Odisha Veterinary College, Bhubaneswar, in 1988 and completed his post-graduation in 1990 from the All India Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, Kolkata University.

Dr Panda began his career as a Veterinary Officer with the Government of Odisha in 1991. The following year, in July 1992, he joined CSKHPKV, Palampur, as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology. Rising through the ranks, he was promoted in 2004 as Professor and Head of the same department. He also briefly served as Senior Scientist at the Directorate of Extension Education, CSKHPKV, before returning to lead his department again in October 2014.

Dr Panda has shouldered multiple administrative roles, including Associate Director (Veterinary) in 2023, Students’ Welfare Officer in 2024, and Dean of DGCN College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Palampur, in March 2025.