Born on 1st July, 1943 at Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Prof. Upadhyaya is an eminent, highly acclaimed celebrated scholar in Sanskrit known in India and abroad for his most outstanding contributions in teaching, research in Sanskrit and also widely propagated the interest of Sanskrit, besides having had administrative experience of repute to his credit.

Prof. Upadhyaya is Ph.D. from Calcutta University, D.Litt. from Varanasi and lately conferred upon with Degree of D.Litt. (Honoris Causa) from Calcutta and BanarasHinduUniversity. He is specialised in his chosen subjects of Philosophy, Veda, Dharmashastra and Sahitya. Prof. Upadhyaya had been on Faculty positions of University of Delhi first as a Lecturer, Reader and from 1984 as Professor and Head of the Department. He has so far guided research of 70 M.Phil. students and 60 Ph.D. scholars.

Prof. Upadhyaya has been the Chief Editor of many journals, edited many books, has received many awards, honours and distinctions, is a member of reputed academic bodies/ committees, published 25 papers and presented his outstanding work in many national and international conferences. He has been awarded "President's Certificate of Honour" by the President of India on 15th August, 2000. Prof. Upadhyaya was awarded "Maharashtra Rajya Mahakavi Kalidas Sanskrit Sadhna Puraskar-2005" by the Government of Maharashtra on the occasion of Sanskrit Day.

Prof. Vachaspati Uapdhyaya creditably organised the World Sanskrit Conference held in April, 2001 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Prof. Upadhyaya has earlier been the Director, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi and Member Secretary, Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan, Ujjain.From November, 1994 he has ably been working as Vice Chancellor of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi.Prof. Upadhyaya was nominated as a Member of the Society of Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla by the Government of India.