New Delhi: In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Central Government on Tuesday appointed senior IAS officer Lokhande Prashant Sitaram as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), replacing Rahul Singh. The appointment comes at a crucial juncture when the board’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system is facing increased scrutiny over alleged technical glitches and procedural concerns raised by students and parents.
Lokhande Prashant Sitaram Appointed CBSE Chairperson
As per an order approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, a 2001-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as CBSE Chairperson in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary.
Sitaram is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Home under the Ministry of Home Affairs. He succeeds Rahul Singh, a 1996-batch Bihar cadre IAS officer, who has now been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The appointment places Sitaram at the helm of India’s largest school education board, which oversees examinations and academic administration for millions of students across the country.
OSM System Under Investigation
The leadership change comes amid growing concerns over the implementation of CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, introduced to digitize the evaluation process of board examination answer sheets.
Following complaints regarding technical issues, discrepancies in evaluation, payment-related challenges, and delays in post-result activities such as verification and re-evaluation, the Centre has initiated a formal inquiry into the system.
A one-member committee headed by S. Radha Chauhan, Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, has been constituted to examine the procurement and implementation of services related to the digital evaluation framework. The panel has been tasked with submitting its report within one month.
The findings are expected to play a key role in determining future reforms and accountability measures related to the digital evaluation process.
Varun Bhardwaj Named New CBSE Secretary
Alongside the appointment of the new Chairperson, the government has also named Varun Bhardwaj, a 2008-batch Indian Information Service (IIS) officer, as the new Secretary of CBSE.
Bhardwaj is currently serving as Director in the Department of Higher Education and will replace Himanshu Gupta. He will hold the position until September 19, 2027, under the Central Staffing Scheme.
Key Transition Period for CBSE
The appointments mark a significant transition for CBSE as the board seeks to address concerns surrounding its digital evaluation ecosystem while maintaining the integrity and efficiency of examination processes.
With a new Chairperson and Secretary taking charge, attention will now focus on strengthening governance, improving transparency, and restoring confidence in the board’s examination and evaluation systems.
The upcoming inquiry report on the OSM system is expected to shape the next phase of reforms within CBSE and influence how digital evaluation technologies are implemented in the future.
