Senior IAS Officer Lokhande Appointed CBSE Chairperson on Additional Charge

Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, a veteran administrator from the Indian Administrative Service, has been given additional responsibilities as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education. The appointment comes as an additional charge to his existing position as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, allowing him to oversee both roles simultaneously.

The IAS officer, who belongs to the 2001 batch and serves under the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre, brings substantial experience to the educational board. His academic background includes engineering and industrial management qualifications, which provide him with a diverse skill set for leading the nation's largest school examination board.

Lokhande will serve in a caretaker capacity until the government finalizes the appointment of a permanent Chairperson for CBSE. This interim arrangement ensures there is no administrative vacuum at the board's helm, maintaining continuity in its day-to-day operations and examinations scheduling.

The Central Board of Secondary Education oversees education standards for millions of students across India, conducting examinations and curriculum development for classes 10 and 12. The transition of leadership at such a crucial educational institution typically involves detailed handover procedures to minimize disruption.

The appointment reflects the government's practice of leveraging experienced civil servants to manage critical institutions during transition periods. Lokhande's background in administration and policy matters at the national level positions him to navigate CBSE's various stakeholder groups and administrative challenges.