2026, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part A

Leadership in higher education is entering a decisive phase of transformation in India. The next decade will demand visionary, technology-savvy, and empathetic leaders who can navigate institutions through challenges of globalization, digitalization, and outcome-based education reforms initiated by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The conventional administrative leadership model is gradually being replaced by collaborative, transformational, and innovation-oriented leadership. This paper explores the evolving nature of leadership in Indian higher education, emphasizing the necessity of adaptive leadership styles for institutional performance, sustainability, and competitiveness.