JNU to award Professor Emeritus title to Amitabh Mattoo after his 2027 retirement

JNU’s Executive Council has approved the conferral of the Professor Emeritus title on Amitabh Mattoo, dean of the School of International Studies, to take effect after his voluntary retirement on 28 February 2027. ## Decision The proposal came after a recommendation by SIS professor Rajesh Rajagopalan and was discussed in the council meeting. The council voted to award the honor once Mattoo steps down. ## Background Mattoo, who became dean in 2024, previously headed the centre dealing with international politics, organisation and disarmament at SIS. He also served as vice‑chancellor of the University of Jammu and is the only current Padma Shri recipient on JNU’s faculty. JNU presently lists 16 Professor Emeritus holders, including Romilla Thapar, Asis Datta, Prabhat Patnaik, H.S. Gill and Zoya Hassan. ## Reaction Speaking to The Hindu, Mattoo said JNU has been more than a workplace – it is his intellectual home. He thanked the university, noting that while offices change, the bond with students and colleagues endures. He described the title as a special recognition from an institution that has given him much. ## Context At JNU, the Professor Emeritus honor is reserved for scholars who have taught for at least 15 years, earned national or international acclaim, and made a lasting impact on their field or society through research and publications.