CBSE gets new chief following on-screen marking controversy

In a first set of action against the officials for the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, the Centre has transferred the Board’s chairman Rahul Singh and secretary Himanshu Gupta.

Last year, the government had extended Singh's tenure as CBSE chairman till November 2027.

Lokhande Prashant Sitaram has been appointed the new Chairman of the CBSE, while Varun Bhardwaj, Director, Department of Higher Education, has been appointed its Secretary (director level).

Upon transfer, Rahul Singh has been appointed Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the proposal of the Education Ministry for the pre-mature repatriation of Gupta to the Ministry of Home Affairs, his parent cadre, on administrative grounds with the condition of “extended cooling off”. He will be eligible for another central deputation after December 12, 2030.

While Singh was responsible for overseeing the board’s operations and examination reforms, Gupta supervised administrative functions, including finance.

The Cabinet Secretariat also notified the constitution of a one-member committee to inquire into matters relating to the procurement of services for the OSM by the CBSE.

The Committee will be chaired by S Radha Chauhan, Chairperson, Capacity Building Commission.

“The chairperson of the Committee is empowered to obtain the assistance of officers from other offices, as required. Secretarial assistance to the Committee will be provided by the Capacity Building Commission. The Committee will submit its report within a month to the Department of Personnel & Training,” an official memorandum read.