Patil’s legacy would be remembered by thousands of students.(Photo: X)
Mumbai: India has lost one of its prominent educationists and public figures. Padma Shri awardee Dr D Y Patil, who had been a trailblazer in expanding the reach of higher education through a sprawling network of institutions and had also been the Governor of Tripura and Bihar, has died on Tuesday in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. He was 90 and had been suffering from age related health issues.
An ardent public servant with a lifelong passion for education, Patil’s legacy would be remembered by thousands of students. Tributes from political leaders, academicians and the education fraternity have poured in, calling him an “institution builder par excellence”.
D Y Patil was born on 22nd Oct 1935 in Kolhapur. He first entered into public life as a Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly before he turned to education and philanthropy. He was a Congress MLA for some years before joining the Nationalist Congress Party in 2018.
Kolhapur, Maharashtra: Renowned educationist, former Governor, and Padma Shri awardee Dr. D. Y. Patil passed away at his residence in Kolhapur today after a prolonged illness. Dr. Patil had served as the Governor of Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal and was widely known for his… pic.twitter.com/1RHOalVRii
— IANS (@ians_india) August 4, 2026
He served as Governor of Tripura from 2009 till 2013. He was the Governor of Bihar from 2013 to 2014 and also the Governor of West Bengal on an additional charge for a limited period in 2014.
D Y Patil cemented his place in the annals of the nation as the founder of the D Y Patil Group.
Today, the conglomerate houses more than 180 educational institutions, including seven deemed universities in cities of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur and beyond. Through his vision, he helped create more than 100,000 seats in the fields of higher, health and professional education.
By being awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, he was recognized for his contribution to education and public service.
Leaders from all sides expressed grief over Patil
" A visionary architect to the end," said the Congress leader Dr Nitin Raut, who said Patil's demise is "a huge loss to the education, social service and public life" and further added that his life would continue to inspire generations to come.
Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Saha, said that Patil was an eminent educationist, visionary institution builder, philanthropist and a respected public person. Saha said that Patil had left as eternal legacy with his contributions to education, health and public service. He added, "May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti."
Family has not given any notice of funeral arrangements. D Y Patil, who is being tributed as a former Governor as well as a pioneer who overhauled the higher education system of India, will continue to inspire generations of students through his legacy.
