JNU confers ‘Professor Emeritus’ title on Amitabh Mattoo.

Amitabh Mattoo, Dean School of International Studies (SIS), JNU. Credit: X/@amitabhmattoo

The Executive Council of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has decided to confer the title of ‘Professor Emeritus’ on Amitabh Mattoo, Dean School of International Studies (SIS). He sought voluntary withdrawal from the university.

Mr. Mattoo’s name was recommended by Rajesh Rajagopalan, a professor from SIS. After discussion in the meeting, it was decided that the title of “Professor Emeritus” in JNU would be conferred with effect from the date of his voluntary retirement on 28 February 2027.

Before being appointed Dean in 2024, Mr. Mattoo was the Chair of the Center for International Policy, Organization and Disarmament at SIS. Also, the former vice-chancellor of Jammu University is the only Padma Shri awardee currently on JNU’s list.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Mattoo said that JNU was never just a place where he works but was his intellectual home and the crucible of his thoughts. “One may depart from the service of the university, but never from its embrace,” he said.

On being awarded the degree, he expressed his gratitude to the university, saying, “I have been fortunate in honors and in office over the years. This one is different. It comes from an institution that I have given so much of and from which I have received so much more.” He added that offices pass, titles disappear, but what remains is the affection of students, the respect of colleagues, the long fellowship of ideas and the quiet privilege of belonging.

JNU currently has 16 professors who have been conferred the title of “Emeritus Professor”, including Romilla Thapar, Asis Datta, Prabhat Patnaik, HS Gill and Zoya Hassan.

As directed or awarded the title of “Emeritus Professor” at JNU, nominees should have made significant and significant contributions to the development of JNU as an institution, served JNU as a professor for at least 15 years, be a scholar of nationally and internationally recognized eminence, and her/his contribution should have made a difference to the discipline and/or society.

Difference from discipline/society could be assessed in terms of formulation of new concepts/paradigms/hypotheses/innovations by academics from peer groups, nations and should be evidenced through publications and other forms of research output, JNU guidelines say.

Published – 04 Nov 2026 08:06 IST