Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Mandeep K Bhandari Named New Chairman of CBSE
Mandeep K Bhandari is a senior Indian government officer.
He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 2001.
He studied medicine and earned an MBBS degree.
He has worked in several administrative roles in Jammu and Kashmir.
He has also worked in central government ministries dealing with education and health.
In 2026, he was appointed chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education.
CBSE manages important parts of school education, including examinations and school affiliations.
Bhandari takes over after Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, who had been holding the position as an additional charge.
Mandeep K Bhandari is a 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the AGMUT cadre.
Born on December 14, 1974, he holds an MBBS degree from Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, and received a gold medal.
His career includes district administration, health, education and public-sector assignments in Jammu and Kashmir and at the Centre.
He served as Private Secretary to the Union Human Resource Development Minister and later as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Bhandari succeeds Lokhande Prashant Sitaram as CBSE chairperson and will oversee examinations, affiliations, curriculum and other responsibilities.
- Who
- Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, a 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the AGMUT cadre.
- What
- He has been appointed chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education.
- When
- His CBSE appointment is reported in 2026; his Jammu and Kashmir posting as Principal Secretary began on March 6, 2023.
- Where
- The appointment concerns the Central Board of Secondary Education in India; Bhandari’s previous assignments included Jammu and Kashmir and Union government ministries.
- Why
- His administrative experience in district governance, education, health and senior government positions is relevant to leading CBSE.
- Service
- 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, AGMUT cadre
- Date of birth
- December 14, 1974
- Education
- MBBS from Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, under Punjab University; he received a gold medal
- Central government role
- Private Secretary to the Union Human Resource Development Minister from January to September 2018
- Health ministry role
- Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from September 2018 to January 2023
- Jammu and Kashmir role
- Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir from March 2023
- New responsibility
- Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education