The Central government on Thursday revised its appointment order for the chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)assigning senior IAS officer Lokhande Prashant Sitaram only the additional charge of the post, barely a month after naming him as the board’s full-time chief.
According to an order issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) through the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)Lokhande will continue to serve as Additional Secretary in the Department of Home Affairs under the Union Home Ministry while holding the additional charge of CBSE chairperson.
The order states that the arrangement will remain in force until a regular incumbent is appointed or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Lokhande, a 2001-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officerhas been serving as Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry since April 1, 2026. His revised appointment marks a significant change from the ACC’s earlier notification issued on June 2which had approved his appointment as the regular Chairperson of CBSE in the rank and pay of an Additional Secretary.
Unlike the earlier notification, Thursday’s order explicitly categorises the assignment as an additional-charge arrangementindicating that the government intends to appoint a full-time chairperson at a later stage.
No official reason has been provided by the Centre for modifying the appointment order. The government has also not announced a timeline for selecting a permanent head for the country’s largest school education board.
CBSE plays a crucial role in India’s education system, overseeing affiliated schools across the country and abroad, conducting Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations, implementing curriculum reforms and coordinating several national education initiatives.
Leadership changes at the board assume added significance as CBSE continues to implement reforms aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020including examination reforms, competency-based assessments and revised academic frameworks.
Administrative experts note that assigning additional charge to senior civil servants is a common interim arrangement in the absence of a regular appointment, ensuring continuity in institutional functioning until the government finalises a permanent selection.
The latest order means Lokhande will now simultaneously oversee responsibilities in the Union Home Ministry while also heading CBSE in an interim capacity.
Key Takeaways
- The Centre has revised Lokhande Prashant Sitaram’s appointment as CBSE chairperson.
- He will now hold only the additional charge of the post.
- Lokhande will continue as Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry.
- The arrangement will continue until a regular chairperson is appointed or further orders are issued.
- No official reason has been provided for the change in appointment status.
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