https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Like Father, Like Son: New Maharashtra Education Commissioner Follows in His Father’s Footsteps

IAS officer Suraj Mandharewas recently appointed as Education Commissioner of Maharashtra He has deep links to teaching as his father started his career as a teacher and retired as a principal of a college He says he will focus on three verticals- impactful steps to check malpractices, measures to strengthen good practices, and programme to introduce innovation
Indian Masterminds Stories

When IAS officer Suraj Mandhare, who was the Nashik Collector, was appointed Commissioner of Education in Maharashtra, history repeated itself, in that he also joined the education sector, like his father. It was a proud moment for him as he can now take the baton from his father who started his career as a teacher and retired as a principal of a college.

In an exclusive interview to Indian Masterminds, Mr. Suraj Mandhare, IAS, shared how his father, who served as a teacher, is inspiring him in the new posting and in his vision for the education sector.

SHAPING FUTURE GENERATIONS

Mr. Mandhare said that education is one of the most important portfolios as it shapes the future of generations. It is a subject very close to his heart. “On getting the post of Commissioner of Education, I am overwhelmed in more ways than one. It offers me an opportunity to learn and experiment simultaneously,” he told Indian Masterminds.

IAS Suraj Mandhare, Commissioner of Education in Maharashtra

FATHER SERVED AS A TEACHER

It is a proud moment for Mr. Mandhare to be in charge of educations affairs because his father started his career as a teacher and retired as a principal of a college.

“I have a lasting influence, as he was an extremely devoted teacher and earned almost all awards which anyone can think of. My father, while working as supervisor of high school, used to design timetable for the entire school. Though he could take up divisions of his choice, he always used to take up low performing divisions and work on those students through free tuitions early in the morning and always delivered 100% result of that division.”

His father’s selfless work has always inspired Mr. Mandhare to volunteer for difficult assignments and succeed with hard efforts.

FOCUS ON THREE VERTICALS

On his visions for the development in the education sector of Maharashtra, he said that he and his team will focus on mainly three verticals:

a. Impactful steps to check malpractices

b. Measures to strengthen good practices

c. Programme to introduce innovation

IAS Suraj Mandhare, Commissioner of Education in Maharashtra

AS COLLECTOR NASHIK

In his previous assignment as Collector Nashik, Mr. Mandhare took some courageous decisions which were much appreciated by the people of the district.

“It was tough but a very satisfying tenure. The moment the news of my transfer flashed, I received hundreds of calls expressing gratitude towards me. Though we were facing one of the worst calamities ever, we excelled in our regular work. We achieved our revenue targets, earned IIPA award for maximum timely delivery of services, etc.”

Mr. Mandhare not only excelled in his regular work but he,along with 40 other officers,went beyond call of duty and voluntarily took the responsibility of Covid orphans who lost their parents during the pandemic.

AS CEO, PUNE ZILA PARISHAD

Before joining as Collector, Nashik, he was posted as Chief Executive Officer of the Pune Zila Parishad. Here also, he launched many initiatives and projects to improve educational standards, in many parameters.

As a result, the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) revealed that Pune district improved substantially in its rank in education in the government schools.

Before 2019, the ranking of Pune district would always be near 20.However, during Mr. Mandhare’s tenure, Pune came in top three in the list.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Panna police
Panna Police Under Siege: SHO and Constable Injured as Villagers Launch Brutal Attack
Panna police
Khaki Power on the Podium: MP Police Shine at All India Police Games 2025 with Gold, Yoga & Judo Glory
India Russia R-37M missile talks
India Russia R-37M Missile Talks Advances to Arm Su-30MKI fighters
IAF MRFA project
114 Fighters, One Mission — MoD Pushes for 100% Indian Involvement in IAF MRFA Project
Ias sam rizvi
Hyderabad: Principal Secretary IAS SAM Rizvi Opts for Voluntary Retirement Amid Dispute with Telangana Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao
MP-Police-
Madhya Pradesh IPS Transfers: 7 Senior Officers Shifted in Midnight Reshuffle; Rajababu Singh, Irshad Wali Among Key Names
Powergrid
POWERGRID Strengthens National Grid Connectivity with Acquisition of 2 Key TBCB Projects Worth ₹3,375 Crore
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar’s Bold Leap: CM Nitish Kumar Pledges 1 Crore Jobs and Women’s Empowerment Boost
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Panna police
Panna Police Under Siege: SHO and Constable Injured as Villagers Launch Brutal Attack
Panna police
Khaki Power on the Podium: MP Police Shine at All India Police Games 2025 with Gold, Yoga & Judo Glory
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT