The Union government has appointed Mandeep Bhandari, a 2001-batch IAS officer from the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre, as the new chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet notified the appointment on September 25, 2026, placing an experienced civil servant at the helm of one of India’s leading school education boards.
Bhandari brings a broad administrative background, having served in both the Jammu & Kashmir administration and various Central government departments. His leadership roles in Jammu & Kashmir gave him substantial governance and public administration experience, while his central government work exposed him to policymaking and departmental functions.
An MBBS graduate, Bhandari has experience in the health sector at the national level. He previously served as Joint Secretary (Drugs) in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, when managing medicine supply and health-sector challenges was critical. This role provided specialized administrative expertise within his civil service career.
As CBSE chairperson, Bhandari will lead an institution responsible for major school examinations and maintaining academic standards in secondary and senior secondary education. His appointment combines his public administration, health governance, Jammu & Kashmir administration, and central policymaking experience, guiding the board amid India's evolving educational needs.
