The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has appointed senior IAS officer Mandeep K Bhandari as its new Chairperson, bringing a new head to the school education board as it works through major changes in its examination and evaluation systems.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Bhandari’s appointment on September 25. A 2001-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, Bhandari has been appointed in the rank and pay of an Additional Secretary to the Union Government, with the post of CBSE Chairperson temporarily upgraded for the appointment.
Bhandari is currently serving as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. He has held several administrative assignments during his career, including positions in Jammu and Kashmir and at the Centre.
Appointment follows changes at CBSE
Bhandari’s appointment comes after a period of changes in the leadership of CBSE. Rahul Singh was removed as Chairperson on June 2, following concerns surrounding the board’s procurement and implementation of its On-Screen Marking system for evaluating answer sheets. A committee was subsequently constituted to examine the procurement of services related to the system.
Lokhande Prashant Sitaram was later given additional charge of the CBSE Chairperson’s post while also serving as Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry. Bhandari’s appointment now places a regular incumbent at the head of the board.
Examination reforms remain a key focus
The leadership change comes as CBSE continues to implement significant examination reforms. In 2026, the board conducted the second Class X board examination, following its decision to introduce two board examinations for Class X from the 2026 examination cycle. CBSE’s examination records also show the continuation of digital evaluation-related processes for Class XII answer books.
The board’s 2026 examination cycle also saw the use of On-Screen Marking for Class XII answer sheets. CBSE subsequently issued procedures covering scanned answer books, verification of marks and re-evaluation.
Bhandari will therefore take charge of CBSE at a time when the board is simultaneously managing changes in examination patterns, digital evaluation systems and post-result processes.
The CBSE conducts the Class X and Class XII board examinations and oversees academic and examination-related functions for its affiliated schools across India.