In a surprise move, the Pune-based Gokhale Institute of Political Science and Economics Vice Chancellor and leading economist Ajit Ranade has resigned from his post citing ‘personal reasons’.

Ranade was earlier removed from the position on September 14 by the then chancellor Bibek Debroy, after a fact-finding committee concluded that his appointment as the GIPE's VC did not conform to the UGC regulations on minimum qualifications for the appointment of teachers and other academic staff.