St. Xavier’s Mumbai Appoints First Woman Principal In 156 Years

Prof. (Dr.) Karuna Gokarn becomes the first woman principal of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. (Image: sxcbom)

St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai has appointed a woman principal for the first time in its 156-year history. Prof. (Dr.) Karuna Gokarn, a microbiologist, has spent over three decades at Xavier’s, teaching biology and holding key academic and administrative roles

Gokarn, 55, was made interim principal in May 2025 following the retirement of Rajendra Shinde. Her appointment has now been confirmed by the college’s board of governors and awaits approval from the state government.

Gokarn has been associated with the college for 30 years. She started as a microbiology teacher, later headed the biotechnology department, and in recent years served as the nodal officer for implementing NEP 2020 and as director of the internal quality assurance cell.

The college said in an Instagram post, “St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai is pleased to announce that Prof. (Dr.) Karuna Gokarn has been appointed as the Principal of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai (subject to University and Government approval). A senior faculty member of the Department of Microbiology, Dr. Gokarn, becomes the first woman to lead the college in its distinguished history since 1869. She was the Vice Principal (Academics) and Director of IQAC during the last few years.”