CBSE – Lokhande Takes Additional Secretary Role in Home Ministry
CBSE – The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has cleared the appointment of Lokhande Prashant Sitaram as Additional Secretary in the Department of Home under the Ministry of Home Affairs. A 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the AGMUT cadre, Lokhande will take up the new responsibility while continuing to oversee the Central Board of Secondary Education as its chairperson.
Dual Responsibility Under Government Order
The Department of Personnel and Training issued the appointment order on July 2. It confirmed that Lokhande, who currently heads the CBSE, has been assigned the Additional Secretary position in the Home Ministry.
The order also permits him to retain additional charge of the CBSE chairperson’s post. This arrangement will remain in place until a full-time chairperson is appointed or until further instructions are issued by the government.
CBSE Leadership Appointment Made in June
Lokhande was appointed chairperson of the CBSE through an official notification issued on June 2. He succeeded Rahul Singh, who was moved to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Rahul Singh has since been appointed Additional Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, which functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The changes are part of a wider set of administrative postings involving senior officials in the education and agriculture departments.
Varun Bhardwaj Named CBSE Secretary
In another development, Varun Bhardwaj has been appointed Secretary of the CBSE in New Delhi. Bhardwaj, an Indian Information Service officer, was serving as Director in the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education before his new posting.
His appointment has been made under the Central Staffing Scheme on a lateral shift basis. According to an office memorandum, he will serve in the role at the Director level until September 19, 2027. The term forms part of his combined five-year tenure under the Central Staffing Scheme.
Himanshu Gupta Repatriated to Parent Cadre
Bhardwaj replaces Himanshu Gupta, an IAS officer who had been serving as CBSE Secretary. Gupta has been sent back to his parent cadre in the Ministry of Home Affairs on premature repatriation.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by the Department of School Education and Literacy for Gupta’s return. The memorandum stated that the repatriation was approved on administrative grounds and would be subject to an extended cooling-off condition.
Administrative Changes Across Key Departments
The latest postings bring changes to senior leadership positions in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Lokhande’s dual charge is expected to continue during the transition period at the CBSE.
The CBSE is responsible for managing school education standards, examinations and affiliated institutions across the country. With a new secretary now appointed and the chairperson continuing in an additional role, the board will operate under an updated administrative structure while the government considers a regular appointment for the chairperson’s post.