The Centre has appointed senior IAS officer Mandeep K. Bhandari as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), bringing another leadership change to the country’s central school education board.
The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on September 25, 2026, according to the government order. Bhandari, a 2001-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, will replace Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, who had been holding additional charge of the CBSE Chairperson’s post.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Mandeep K. Bhandari appointed CBSE Chairperson.
Location: New Delhi / Central Board of Secondary Education.
Authority/Organisation: Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and Ministry of Education.
Action Taken: Bhandari appointed as Chairperson in the rank and pay of an Additional Secretary.
Impact: He becomes the third person to head CBSE in less than four months.
The Chairperson’s post has been temporarily upgraded to the rank and pay of an Additional Secretary to the Government of India for the appointment.
Bhandari was serving as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir before his appointment to CBSE. His earlier administrative assignments have included senior positions in Jammu and Kashmir and at the Centre.
His appointment makes him the third person to head CBSE in less than four months. Rahul Singh was transferred from the CBSE Chairperson’s post on June 2, after which Lokhande Prashant Sitaram was appointed and later given additional charge.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
CBSE oversees board examinations and several major academic processes affecting millions of students and schools across India. The latest leadership change comes as the board prepares for the 2026–27 examination cycle, making continuity in examination administration, digital evaluation and student services an important part of the new chairperson’s responsibilities.
The latest appointment comes after scrutiny surrounding CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, which was introduced for digital evaluation and post-result processes. Concerns had been raised over issues including answer-sheet discrepancies, portal-related problems and difficulties reported during the post-result process.
CBSE’s official website currently lists ongoing academic and examination-related work for the 2026–27 session, including submission of candidate lists for Class X and XII main examinations.
The new leadership will therefore take charge at a time when the board is continuing preparations for the next examination cycle while dealing with the administrative and technological issues that emerged during the 2026 examination process.
