Current affairs of 9 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams
News
Venkata Ramana Akkaraju took charge as Vice-Chancellor of the Chennai-headquartered Indian Maritime University (IMU) on 3 November 2026. The President of India, as Visitor of the University, appointed him under Statute 2(1) of the IMU Act. His term is five years or until he turns 70, whichever is earlier. He was Chairman of the New Mangalore Port Authority (June 2019 – Nov 2025); earlier, as Deputy Chairman of Cochin Port Trust he held additional charge of its Chairman, and he also held additional charge of Mormugao Port. From 2007 to 2009 he was Deputy Director at IMU and the National Maritime Academy. He has experience in port automation, sustainability and technology-led growth. IMU is a Central University under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Key facts for the exam
Point
Details
New VC
Venkata Ramana Akkaraju
Took charge
3 November 2026
Appointed by
President of India (Visitor)
Term
5 years or till age 70
Earlier posts
Chairman – New Mangalore, Cochin, Mormugao port authorities
IMU was created as a Central University by an Act of Parliament on 14 November 2008 by merging seven institutions: the National Maritime Academy (Chennai), TS Chanakya and LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies (Mumbai), the Marine Engineering and Research Institutes (Mumbai, Kolkata), the Indian Institute of Port Management (Kolkata) and the National Ship Design and Research Centre (Visakhapatnam).
Polity: the President is the Visitor of Central Universities, with powers to appoint Vice-Chancellors and order inquiries. Central Universities are created by Acts of Parliament.
Major ports are now run as Port Authorities under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, which replaced the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. In shipping history, SS Loyalty of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company sailed from Mumbai to London on 5 April 1919; the day is observed as National Maritime Day.
Economy: about 95% of India's foreign trade by volume moves by sea. 'Maritime India Vision 2030' and 'Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047' stress building a trained seafaring workforce.
Tamil Nadu link: IMU is headquartered in Chennai (East Coast Road, Uthandi), and its forerunner, the National Maritime Academy, was also in Chennai. Tamil Nadu has three major ports – Chennai, Kamarajar (Ennore) and V.O. Chidambaranar (Thoothukudi).
Frequently asked questions
What is this news about?
Venkata Ramana Akkaraju took charge as Vice-Chancellor of the Chennai-headquartered Indian Maritime University (IMU) on 3 November 2026. The President of India, as Visitor of the University, appointed him under Statute 2(1) of the IMU Act. His term is five years or until he turns 70, whichever is earlier.
What are the key facts to remember for the exam?
New VC: Venkata Ramana Akkaraju; Took charge: 3 November 2026; Appointed by: President of India (Visitor); Term: 5 years or till age 70.
What is the background to this news?
IMU was created as a Central University by an Act of Parliament on 14 November 2008 by merging seven institutions: the National Maritime Academy (Chennai), TS Chanakya and LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies (Mumbai), the Marine Engineering and Research Institutes (Mumbai, Kolkata), the Indian Institute of Port Management (Kolkata) and the National Ship Design and Research Centre (Visakhapatnam).
