Shri P.N. Bhandari was selected in the Indian Administrative Service in 1965 and was promoted in the scale of Chief Secretary in 1998 (Equivalent to the rank of Secretary to GOI). After retirement in 2001, he has been practicing as an Advocate in Rajasthan High Court, specializing in Power Sector. Has appeared in large number of power sector cases in Elec. Regulatory Commissions, Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, New Delhi, High Courts, and occasionally in the Supreme Court.

He has held the post of Addl. Chief Secretary (Equivalent to Chief Secretary). Has also been Principal Secretary in departments of Revenue/ Industries / Urban Development / Irrigation/ Public Health & Engg. etc. Has also been CMD, RIICO, Commissioner, Jaipur Development Authority, Sales Tax Commissioner, Excise Commissioner etc. Shri Bhandari has also been Collector & District Magistrate in Dungarpur, Sikar, Bharatpur (including Dholpur), Udaipur (including Rajsamand) & Kota (including Baran). He was also Vice Chancellor of Udaipur University for four years.

Shri Bhandari has been Chairman, Northern Region Electricity Board (NREB)/ Member of the Experts Advisory Committee, Chaired by the Power Minister, GOI (1997)/ Member of the Advisory Group of Eminent Persons, Chaired by the Power Minister, GOI (2001)/ Member Standing Committee of Eminent Persons, Rural Electrification Corporation, GOI (2004)/ Member Expert group to study impact of restructuring of Electricity Boards – Study sponsored by Ministry of Power, GOI (2006)/ Chairman, Expert Committee, Pollution Control, Rajasthan (2006).

He has been Director, Bank of Rajasthan/ Director, BSES, Mumbai (Reliance)/ Director, Yamuna Power (Reliance) Delhi/ Member, Public Expenditure Review Committee headed by the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan/ Member, State Innovation Council (2012).

Shri Bhandari was appointed three times, Chairman of the Rajasthan State Electricity Board. Introduced several innovative reforms in the RSEB, long before it was unbundled. The World Bank commended the remarkable improvement in the financial position of the RSEB, due to reforms particularly in the distribution sector during Shri Bhandari’s tenure. Presentation was made by him regarding Rajasthan’s Power Sector Reforms in the International Conference in Japan on “Reforms in Power Sector” organized by the World Bank.

Shri Bhandari has received “Leading Energy Personality’ 2013 Award” from Council of Power Utilities. He has authored “Commitment and Creativity, Reminiscences of an IAS Officer” which was released by Justice G.S. Singhvi, the then Judge, Supreme Court. His articles etc. have been frequently published in Power Line, a leading monthly magazine in Power Sector. He has made presentations in many All India seminars on Power Sector & also Chaired many such sessions. Various articles of Shri Bhandari have been published in leading national publications.

Shri Bhandari has widely travelled and has attended many courses, particularly in the USA.