Ajit Ranade, a prominent economist, has been removed from his position as Vice Chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) due to alleged non-compliance with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, specifically lacking ten years of requisite experience. His removal, effective September 14, 2024, has sparked significant controversy, with political figures like Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticizing it as indicative of institutional decay. Ranade's appointment in February 2022 was initially well-received, raising questions about why his qualifications were not scrutinized earlier. Despite having a strong academic background and notable contributions to GIPE, including launching new programs and upgrading facilities, his ousting has been characterized as 'unfortunate' and 'shocking' by Ranade himself. Political leaders are calling for a reevaluation of the decision, suggesting it reflects broader concerns about the educational landscape under current governance. The Bombay High Court has temporarily suspended the effect of his removal until September 23, allowing him to contest the decision legally.