Full Breakdown
Mandeep K Bhandari Named Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education
By Drooid · · How we work
Appointment of the New CBSE Head
On September 25 2026, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Mandeep K Bhandari, a 2001-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, as chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The post is temporarily upgraded to the rank and pay of an Additional Secretary. Bhandari succeeds Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, who held the position on an additional-charge basis since July 2.
Prelude: OSM Controversy and Leadership Turmoil
In early 2026, CBSE introduced the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 answer books. Students reported blurred scans, missing pages and mismatched answer sheets, and a glitch affected payment for accessing the books. The controversy also raised concerns about OSM procurement and security.
In response, the Centre transferred chairperson Rahul Singh and secretary Himanshu Gupta on June 2, and ordered a one-member inquiry headed by former Union secretary S. Radha Chauhan. Lokhande Prashant Sitaram was appointed chairperson on June 2 and given additional charge as an Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry on July 2.
Bhandari’s Administrative Profile
Bhandari brings more than two decades of senior-level administration and holds an MBBS gold medal from Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana. His career includes:
- Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir – appointed March 6 2023.
- Deputy Commissioner of Leh and Jammu, and Divisional Commissioner of Jammu.
- CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (2009-2018).
- Private Secretary to the Union Human Resource Development Minister (Jan-Sept 2018).
- Joint Secretary (Drugs) in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His domicile is Punjab; date of birth December 14 1974.
Chronology of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 2 | Removal of Rahul Singh and Himanshu Gupta; appointment of Lokhande Prashant Sitaram; launch of OSM procurement inquiry. |
| July 2 | Lokhande given additional charge as Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry. |
| September 25 2026 | ACC approves Bhandari’s appointment as CBSE chairperson, with post upgraded. |
| March 6 2023 | Bhandari appointed Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. |
Implications for CBSE’s Examination System
The appointment comes as CBSE prepares for the 2026-27 academic cycle, including Class 10 and Class 12 registrations. The board is expected to continue digital evaluation while addressing the reliability and security concerns highlighted by the OSM episode. Bhandari’s experience in health-sector digital initiatives and large-scale administration is seen as a resource for stabilising evaluation mechanisms and restoring confidence.
Official Government Actions
- Transfer of senior CBSE officials on June 2 and initiation of a procurement inquiry led by S. Radha Chauhan.
- Interim leadership by Lokhande Prashant Sitaram from June 2 to September 25.
- Formal appointment of Mandeep K Bhandari on September 25 2026, with the post temporarily upgraded to Additional Secretary rank.
These steps reflect the Centre’s effort to provide stable governance for the nation’s largest school examination board while addressing the challenges exposed by the OSM rollout.