Mandeep K Bhandari, a 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed the new chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on September 25.Bhandari will take charge of the school education board at a time when CBSE is handling examinations, curriculum-related matters and academic administration for affiliated schools across India and abroad.
Who is Mandeep K Bhandari?
Mandeep K Bhandari is a senior IAS officer belonging to the AGMUT cadre, which covers Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and the Union Territories. He entered the civil services through direct recruitment after qualifying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.According to available service records, Bhandari has completed more than two decades in government service and has served in several administrative positions at the Centre and in Union Territories.He is currently serving as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. His previous assignments have included positions such as Joint Secretary, Private Secretary to a Union minister, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Development Commissioner, Additional Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer.
Mandeep K Bhandari education qualification
Mandeep K Bhandari comes from a medical education background. His educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).According to his service profile, he studied at Punjab University, Chandigarh, and Dayanand Medical College & Hospital. His profile also records qualifications and training related to medicine and surgery.His academic background is distinct from the conventional administrative route often associated with senior government officials, as Bhandari trained in medicine before entering the civil services.
From medicine to the IAS
Bhandari’s professional journey moved from medical education to public administration. After completing his medical education, he joined the civil services through the UPSC Civil Services Examination.As an IAS officer, he has since taken up administrative responsibilities across different levels of government. His career has included district-level administration as well as senior positions in the Union government and Union Territories.
Mandeep K Bhandari’s administrative career
Over more than 25 years of government service, Bhandari has held several assignments involving administration, policy implementation and coordination.His postings have included roles such as:
- Joint Secretary
- Private Secretary to a minister
- Additional Chief Executive Officer
- Deputy Commissioner
- Additional Development Commissioner
- Additional Secretary
- Chief Administrative Officer
He was serving as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir before being appointed CBSE chairperson.
Bhandari takes charge as CBSE chairman
Bhandari’s appointment makes him the full-time chairperson of CBSE after Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, who had been holding additional charge of the post.Sitaram was appointed CBSE chairman in June 2026 and later moved to the Union Home Ministry as Additional Secretary while retaining additional charge of CBSE. Bhandari’s appointment now brings a new full-time head to the school education board.As CBSE chairperson, Bhandari will oversee an organisation responsible for board examinations for Classes 10 and 12, affiliation of schools, curriculum and assessment-related matters and other aspects of school education administration.