New Delhi: Ashok Ganguly's extended 8-year term as the chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) ended on Thursday, four days ahead of schedule.

Ganguly's term as the CBSE chairman was to end on Monday. The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry, however, asked him to step down yesterday itself owing to an extended weekend.

Ashok Ganguly was appointed the chairperson of CBSE for 5 years in May 2000. His term of 5 years had ended in May 2005 after which his term was extended by three more years.

Again, when his second term ended in May this year, the HRD Ministry extended his term by another 3 months.

"I will relinquish my post on Monday and return to Uttar Pradesh for a new posting. My term as the chairman of CBSE was challenging yet fruitful. I wish to continue working in the field of secondary education", said Ashok Ganguly.

CBSE Secretary Vineet Joshi will now take over as the acting chairman of the Board on Monday.

Joshi has been appointed the chairperson for the next six months or till the time a new chairperson is appointed by the Ministry.

The Ministry has formed a new selection committee to look for Ganguly's successor. The committee will soon invite applications for the top post.