NEW DELHI: Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, a senior IAS officer, has been entrusted by the Central Government with the additional charge of Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) following a revision to his appointment. The change was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) through an official order issued on July 2.
Under the revised arrangement, Lokhande will simultaneously serve as Additional Secretary in the Department of Home under the Ministry of Home Affairs while overseeing the responsibilities of CBSE Chairperson. This dual role will continue until the government appoints a regular full-time chairperson or issues further instructions.
Ensuring Administrative Continuity
The revised appointment is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted leadership at CBSE, which administers school examinations and academic policies affecting millions of students across India.
Officials indicated that the arrangement allows the board’s day-to-day administrative work, examination planning, policy implementation, and coordination with the Ministry of Education to continue without disruption during the transition period.
Experienced Bureaucrat Takes on Dual Responsibilities
Lokhande Prashant Sitaram is a 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the AGMUT cadre. Over his administrative career, he has served in several senior positions across different departments, gaining extensive experience in governance, public administration, and policymaking.
Before receiving the additional CBSE responsibility, he had already been serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. His latest assignment places him in charge of both national administrative responsibilities within the Home Ministry and the country’s largest school education board.
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Change from Earlier Appointment
The latest notification revises an earlier government decision made in June 2026, when Lokhande Prashant Sitaram had been appointed as the full-time Chairperson of CBSE following a major leadership reshuffle within the board.
The revised order redesignates his role as an additional charge instead of a standalone full-time appointment. While his designation has changed, he will continue to oversee the board’s functioning until a permanent chairperson is appointed.
Background of the Leadership Reshuffle
The leadership changes at CBSE began in June after the government initiated administrative restructuring within the board. Former Chairperson Rahul Singh was transferred to another assignment, while senior officials were reshuffled following concerns surrounding the implementation of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system used for evaluating Class 12 examination answer sheets.
The government subsequently appointed Lokhande Prashant Sitaram to head the board and also named Varun Bhardwaj as the new CBSE Secretary. The latest order modifies only the nature of Lokhande’s appointment while retaining him at the helm of CBSE.
Importance for Students and Schools
For students, schools, and affiliated institutions, the revised appointment does not alter ongoing academic or examination processes. CBSE will continue functioning under the existing administrative framework while awaiting the appointment of a regular chairperson.
Education experts believe continuity in leadership is particularly important as the board prepares for future examinations, curriculum-related initiatives, digital evaluation reforms, and policy implementation across thousands of affiliated schools nationwide.
Government’s Interim Administrative Strategy
Assigning additional charge to senior bureaucrats is a common administrative practice used by the government to maintain institutional continuity during transitions. By entrusting an experienced IAS officer with both responsibilities, the Centre seeks to ensure that important administrative decisions within CBSE continue without delay.
The arrangement also provides sufficient time for the government to identify and appoint a regular chairperson while maintaining operational stability within one of India’s most significant educational institutions.
The appointment of Lokhande Prashant Sitaram as CBSE Chairperson on an additional-charge basis ensures continuity in the functioning of India’s largest school education board during a leadership transition. The move helps maintain uninterrupted oversight of examinations, curriculum reforms, and policy implementation affecting millions of students and thousands of affiliated schools. It also reflects the Centre’s strategy of assigning experienced bureaucrats to key positions until a regular appointment is made, ensuring that administrative and academic responsibilities continue without disruption.
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