The 62-year-old priest had earlier held the post for six years from 2014, the year Pope Francis canonized their founder Kuriakose Elias Chavara.
The election took place on March 19 during the congregation’s 39th general chapter held at Chavara Hills, Kochi.
He returns to leadership as the Kochi-based congregation prepares for its bicentenary in 2031.
After his last term, he served as the chancellor of Christ University and rector of Dharmaram (‘Garden of Virtues’) College, the congregation ‘s major seminary, both based in Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka state. He was in Kenya for the past three years.
“When Chavara was proclaimed a saint, [Father Achandy] was the prior. Now, as the [congregation] approaches its 200th jubilee, he is again the prior,” said Carmelite Father Johnson Palappilly, a media person.
He also said such return to leadership is uncommon as transitions in Catholic religious congregations follow fixed term.
Father Achandy’s re-election is being viewed as a sign of institutional trust and continuity at a time when global religious congregations face evolving pastoral and administrative challenges, Father Palappilly added.
Founded in 1831, the congregation has grown into a global missionary body with nearly 3,000 members engaged in ministries such as education, healthcare and social outreach in more than 30 countries.
Father Achandy, born in May 19, 1963, and ordained in 1992, combines academic depth with administrative experience. He holds a Master of Business Administration from North Maharashtra University and a doctorate in management from IIT Madras, specializing in strategic human resource management.
His leadership journey includes serving as head of the Department of Management Studies at Christ College, Bengaluru (now Christ University), provincial of the Devamatha Province in Thrissur, and director of Amala Institute of Medical Sciences.
His area of specialization has been strategic human resource management.
He has published several research papers in national journals and has been a resource speaker at many national conferences in the country.
Those within the congregation say his earlier tenure was marked by consolidation and strengthening of internal systems.
“This decision has come from a deep process of discernment within the congregation,” said Father Biju John Vellakada, the provincial of the congregation’s St. Thomas Province, based in Kozhikode “His leadership has brought stability and direction.”
Father Augustine Kochuvely, vice chancellor of the congregation’s Kristu Jayanti University in Bengaluru, says Father Achandy’s leadership is about shaping direction, not imposing ideas. “He encourages excellence while remaining rooted in values.”
Personal simplicity continues to define his leadership in the eyes of many.
“A leader after the mind and heart of the Good Shepherd,” said Carmelite Father Tomy Kapiarukudy.
Vincentian Sister Sonia K Chacko described Father Achandy as a man of simplicity and poverty.
“Even after holding the highest offices, he remains deeply simple-one who could guide global institutions and still choose to travel on a motorcycle, staying close to ordinary people,” the award-winning digital missionary told Matters India.
Former members of the congregation worldwide have welcomed Father Achandy’s re-election.
Mathew Nampudakam of the Paradise Fraternity, a global collective of such members, termed Father Achandy’s return to leadership as “a very welcome news.”
“We are elated with this development. Being part of the rich CMI legacy, we have kept close links with the CMI authorities in the past,” he said.