K. L. Sharma is Pro-Chancellor at Jaipur National University, and Vice-Chairman of Institute of Development Studies (ISD), Jaipur. Formerly, Dr. Sharma was Professor of Sociology and Rector (pro-Vice-Chancellor) at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He was Vice-Chancellor at the University of Rajasthan during 2003-2005 and also Vice-Chancellor at Jaipur National University, Jaipur, from 2007 to 2014. K. L.

Sharma earned his Master's and Ph.D from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. K. L. Sharma was invited as visiting faculty by College de France, Paris, for five terms from 1991 to 2005. In 2002, the University Grants Commission of India honoured him with the Pranavananda Saraswati Award. He has also served on several committees and commissions as an expert member. The Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, bestowed him with a National Fellowship (2014-2016).

During his nearly half-century-long academic career, Sharma has published 26 books and 90 research papers. His main areas of interest include rural sociology, caste and class, social stratification and mobility, agrarian and tribal movements, etc. Presently, he also writes on current issues for a well-known Hindi daily, for the benefit of the common people. Sharma's writings are widely read by students, researchers and faculty of social sciences, and other concerned people.