Dr. Prabha Shankar Shukla

Executive Profile

Dr. Prabha Shankar Shukla is a distinguished academician, plant breeder, seed technologist, agricultural innovator and higher-education administrator with more than three decades of experience in teaching, research, crop improvement, seed production, agricultural enterprise management and institutional leadership. He served as Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, from 27 July 2021 to 26 July 2026, and has served as Professor at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, in the field of Genetics & Plant Breeding.

His scientific work focuses on soybean improvement, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Seed Science & Technology, seed quality enhancement and agricultural innovation. He has contributed to the development of seven soybean varieties — Pant Soybean 21, Pant Soybean 22, Pant Soybean 23, Pant Soybean 24, Pant Soybean 25, Pant Soybean 26 and Pant Soybean 27.

Research Areas / Areas of Interest

• Genetics & Plant Breeding
• Seed Science & Technology
• Soybean improvement and varietal development
• Seed quality enhancement
• Agricultural innovation and agricultural nanotechnology

Professional Experience

• Vice-Chancellor, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong (27 July 2021 – 26 July 2026) — provided leadership of a Central University with responsibility for academic, administrative, research and institutional development.
• Professor, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (11 August 2010 to date); rejoined the University on 27 July 2026 after deputation.

Major Achievements as Vice-Chancellor, NEHU

• Led the implementation of NEP 2020 and associated academic reforms.
• Supported the introduction of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP).
• Facilitated the implementation of ITEP.
• Promoted the development of the School of Agriculture.
• Strengthened academic programmes at the Shillong and Tura campuses.
• Facilitated 120+ faculty appointments across 18 departments.
• Addressed the long-pending Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) backlog.
• Promoted research, innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship; strengthened Bio NEST and start-ups/innovation linkages.
• Promoted collaborations with universities and institutions across India, and encouraged university–community and university–industry linkages.
• Encouraged agriculture, horticulture, skill development and entrepreneurship at the Tura Campus; supported the concept of “NEHU Fresh” for university-linked agricultural products and value addition.
• Contributed to national discussions on higher education and NEP 2020.

Scientific & Research Contributions

• 55+ research papers in national and international journals
• 60+ technical articles
• 6+ books / manuals
• Development of seven soybean varieties (Pant Soybean 21–27)
• Research in seed enhancement and agricultural nanotechnology

Authored / Edited Books

• Advances in Seed Quality Evaluation and Improvement — 2025
• Seed Science and Technology: Basics and Application — 2018
• Five Decades of Soybean Research at Pantnagar — 2017
• Advances in Seed Science and Technology — 2016
• Nucleus and Breeder Seed Production of Soybean — 2016
• Practical Manual on Seed Production — 2010

Selected Publications

1. Chandra, G., Shukla, P.S., and Kumar, U. (2015) Influence of Different Dates of Transplanting on Seed Yield and Seed Quality of Broccoli [Brassica oleracea (L.) var. italica] under Rainfed Hill Condition of Uttarakhand. Environment and Ecology; 33 (2A): 814-818.
2. Chouratiya, V.K., Shukla, P.S., Maurya, C.L. (2014) Influence of Hydropriming and Growth Regulator on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.). Trends in Biosciences 7 (16), 2102-2105.
3. Chandra, G., Shukla, P.S., Punetha, S., Kumar, U., Kumar, C. (2014) Characters association studies in broccoli [Brassica oleracea (L.) var. italica] under mid hill of Uttarakhand. Asian Journal of Horticulture 9 (1), 57-60.
4. Chandra, G. and Shukla, P.S. (2011) Effect of transplanting dates on seed yield and seed quality parameters of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.). Trends in Biosciences.
5. Chandra, G. and Shukla, P.S. (2011) Correlation studies on seed yield and seed quality parameters of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.). Trends in Biosciences.
6. Shukla, P.S. and Prasad, B. (2015) Advances in Seed Sciences and Technology. Biotech Books, New Delhi.

Awards & Honours

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Educational Excellence Award, Indian Institute of Oriental Heritage, Kolkata — 2026
• Royal Peace Award, Art-4 Peace Awards, United States — 2025
• Vishwa Kavi Rabindranath Tagore Award, Indian Institute of Oriental Heritage, Kolkata — 2025
• Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Education Excellence Award, Indian Institute of Oriental Heritage, Kolkata — 2023
• Higher Education Award, Golden Signature Foundation, New Delhi — 2022
• Elite Academic Award, IEEE Global Conference, New Delhi — 2022
• Fellow, Indian Society of Seed Technologist (ISST), IARI, New Delhi — 2017
• Shatabdi Samman — 2013
• Scientist of the Year — 2011 and 2015
• Best Paper Presentation — 2007 and 2010

Positions & Recognitions

• EC & Court Member, JNU, New Delhi (2016–19)
• Board of Management (BOM) Member, JNKVV, Jabalpur (2012–19)
• Academic Council Member, GCU, Uttarakhand (2018 to date)
• BOM Member, UKSS & OC Board, Dehradun (2019 to date)
• Nodal Officer: NSP–BSP, NSP Crops, Pulse Seed Hub
• Joint Director, Breeder Seed Production Centre

Editorial / Professional Contributions

• Kisan Bharti — editorial responsibility (2016–2020)
• Beej — editorial responsibility (2010–2012)
• Pahari Kheti — editorial responsibility (2006–2010)

Professional Vision

To develop an integrated ecosystem for the engagement of youth in which research is converted into technology, technology into enterprise, and enterprise into measurable social and economic benefits for farmers, youth and society. The vision combines agricultural innovation, sustainable development, entrepreneurship, skill development and transformative higher education to create institutions that serve as centres of knowledge, innovation and regional development.