Transforming Higher Education Governance: Academic Leadership and Regulatory Restructuring Under NEP-2020

This paper investigates the unique paradigms of academic leadership, distinguishing it from corporate and governmental management models. Academic leaders must navigate a complex ecosystem of teaching, research, and community engagement while balancing the needs of highly diverse stakeholders. The study critically analyzes the transformation of higher education governance in India under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It examines the shift toward graded institutional autonomy, the replacement of traditional university self-governance with independent Boards of Governors (BoG), and the comprehensive restructuring of regulatory frameworks under the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). The paper concludes that proactive, visionary, and stable leadership is paramount to navigating this systemic overhaul and driving institutional excellence.