[4] She studied at Aligarh Muslim University, where she was a gold medalist and earned a National Science Talent Scholarship.

Akhtar worked for fifteen years at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, leading courses for senior officials from 130 countries.

[5] She established the first state-level management institute at Allahabad and was the Controller of Examination and Director of Academic Programs at Aligarh Muslim University.

[5][7] In April 2019, the Ministry of Human Resource Development received approval from the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, to appoint Akhtar as vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia for a five year term or till attaining the age of 70 whichever is earlier and served their till 12 November 2023.

Why is it even there, if you hold the same educational qualifications and experience?”[9] In 2022, Akhtar was awarded with Padma Shri by the Government of India.