Senior IAS Officer Prashant Sitaram Takes Charge as CBSE Chairperson
In a significant administrative move, senior IAS officer Lokhande Prashant Sitaram has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The 2001-batch officer from the AGMUT cadre (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories) has also been serving as Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry.
The appointment comes at a crucial juncture for the education board, which recently witnessed leadership changes following a controversy surrounding the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Sitaram, who was already holding the additional charge of CBSE Chairperson, has now been formally confirmed in the role.
Dual Responsibilities in Government
According to an official order from the Ministry of Personnel, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Sitaram’s continued tenure as Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry. He will retain both positions until a regular chairperson is appointed for the education board.
This dual role underscores the trust the government has placed in the officer’s administrative capabilities. His extensive experience in handling sensitive portfolios within the Home Ministry is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the functioning of the national education board.
Background and Career Trajectory
Sitaram’s career spans over two decades in public service, with significant contributions in various capacities. His appointment to CBSE comes at a time when the board is navigating several reforms and modernisation initiatives aimed at improving examination processes and academic standards.
- Officer belongs to the 2001 batch of the AGMUT cadre
- Previously served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Appointed as CBSE Chairperson amid ongoing educational reforms
- Will continue handling both portfolios until a regular appointment is made
The board has been working on multiple fronts, including digital assessment methods and revised evaluation frameworks. With Sitaram at the helm, stakeholders in the education sector will be watching closely to see how these initiatives progress under his leadership.
His appointment reflects the government’s approach of leveraging senior bureaucratic expertise to strengthen institutional governance in the education sector. As CBSE continues to serve millions of students across the country and abroad, the new chairperson’s administrative experience will be vital in steering the organisation through its ongoing transformation phase.
