The Board of Management, at its 94th Meeting held on April 7, 2008, approved the proposal to establish a Chair on Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor, at IGNOU for Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of First War of Independence. The Board further decided that a renowned person shall be appointed to head the Chair.

The expenditure in connection with the Chair on Bahadur Shah Zafar shall be met from the grants released by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.