Himachal Pradesh University VC feted at Banaras varsity

In a remarkable feat, Prof Mahavir Singh, Vice-Chancellor (VC), Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), was conferred the ‘Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Pragya Samman 2026’ for his contributions in the field of education (advertising).

The award was presented at a ceremony organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Saraswat Parishad, an international organisation, at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), in memory of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, who served as the president of the Indian National Congress four times.

The VC’s nomination was proposed in 2024 by Prof S N Upadhyay, former Director of IIT BHU. After two years and several meetings, a high-level selection committee chaired by Prof Manoj Dixit, Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Ganga Singh University, approved his name for this year’s highest honour of the institution.

Prof Singh is recognised as a world-class scholar and is ranked among the top two per cent scientists globally. He is widely respected for his scholarship, dedication, collective leadership, global outlook, and commitment to merit.