D.Y. Patil, educationist and former Governor of three states, passes away at 90
Padma Shri awardee and noted educationist D.Y. Patil passed away on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, due to age-related health complications. He was 90 years old.
Born Dnyandeo Yashwantrao Patil on October 22, 1935, he served as the Mayor of Kolhapur from 1957 to 1962 and as a Congress MLA from 1967 to 1978. His lifelong focus, however, remained education reform and social work. He founded the D.Y. Patil Group, which grew into an expansive network of over 182 institutes, seven universities, and premier healthcare systems across India.
His son, Satej D. Patil, Maharashtra MLC and former Minister, expressed the family's grief in a statement: “With his departure, the pillar of support in all our lives has been lost. Dada spent his life connecting people, igniting the lamp of education in the lives of millions of students, and making social service the goal of his life. He instilled in us the values of living as a true human being. His loving and affectionate hand, his encouraging words, and his teachings on living by principles—these are our eternal treasures. It is impossible to express these feelings in words.”
His final rites will be held at the D.Y. Patil Medical College in Kolhapur at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday (August 5, 2026). A public viewing will take place in the morning, followed by a funeral procession, according to his family.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described Mr. Patil as a man with no enemies and announced that his final rites would be performed with full state honours.
Mr. Patil served as the Governor of Tripura from November 27, 2009, to March 21, 2013. He was then appointed Governor of Bihar on March 22, 2013, serving until November 26, 2014. During his tenure in Bihar, he also held the additional charge of Governor of West Bengal.
In recognition of his social work, he received the Padma Shri in 1991.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, saying: “Shri DY Patil Ji was at the forefront of serving society through philanthropy and education in particular. He always worked to improve the lives of others, especially the poor. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour.”
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also shared his condolences, calling the news “extremely heartbreaking.” He wrote: “His contributions in the fields of education and public service will always remain memorable. I express my deepest condolences to all the grieving family members, well-wishers, and supporters.”
Mr. Patil is survived by four sons—Dr. Sanjay D.Y. Patil, Satej D. Patil, Vijay D.Y. Patil, and Dr. Ajinkya D.Y. Patil—and a daughter, Dr. Nandita Palshetkar. Several of his family members, including his son Satej, son Dr. Sanjay, and grandson Ruturaj Patil, are active in politics and social work.
