Industrialists Ratan Tata and Naushad Forbes are among the contenders for the position of chairperson of IIT-Bombay, which became vacant after nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar's tenure ended earlier this month.
Sources said that the governing body of the premier technical instituted had recommended a list of names, which included both men, to the Human Resource Development Ministry which has the final say over the appointment.
While Tata retired from the Tata group in 2012 and currently remains as its Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons as well as heading the Tata Trust, Forbes currently is the director of Forbes Marshall and is the vice-president of the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Kakodkar resigned as chairman of IIT-Bombay's governing body in March over his differences with the HRD ministry, igniting controversy with the Opposition claiming that there was government "interference" in the management of premier educational institutions. He was subsequently persuaded to stay for the remaining duration of his term by the HRD minister Smriti Irani.
