ETS has announced the appointment of Karan Lalit as Executive Director – South Asia, TOEFL & GRE, and Pallavi Gupta as Director, Marketing – South Asia, TOEFL and GRE. The appointments have been made to strengthen leadership in the region and drive growth for TOEFL and GRE.
The company has said the new leadership will focus on expanding its presence across South Asia, strengthening institutional partnerships, and improving engagement with students and test-takers. These developments have come as ETS has been recalibrating its regional strategy following changes in the global study-abroad landscape and the launch of the enhanced TOEFL iBT in January 2026.
ETS has been aligning its approach to better match evolving student needs, with emphasis on accessibility, relevance, and academic and career outcomes. The organisation has been responding to shifts in destination preferences, policy changes, and increased focus on employability among students.
Karan Lalit has brought experience in international education, with expertise in channel management, institutional partnerships, and market expansion across North America and South Asia. Prior to joining ETS, he has held leadership roles at Study Group and Shorelight.
Pallavi Gupta has brought experience in brand and consumer marketing across sectors including technology, mobility, and lifestyle. She has previously worked with organisations such as Hero Cycles, Samsung, Panasonic, Harman, Logitech, and Sennheiser, where she has handled brand transformation and digital marketing initiatives.
“South Asia is one of the most dynamic markets for global education today, with students placing greater emphasis on outcomes, speed, and flexibility in their study-abroad decisions. For ETS, this is a clear priority market. Karan and Pallavi bring the kind of leadership we need at this point, combining deep experience in international education with strong brand and consumer marketing expertise. Their focus will be on building sharper market connections, responding faster to student needs, and ensuring TOEFL and GRE remain relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.” — Omar Chihane, Global General Manager – TOEFL, ETS
“South Asia is a high-growth, high-potential market for international education, with increasing demand for trusted, globally recognized assessments. My focus will be on strengthening our institutional partnerships, expanding student access, and building a more responsive and scalable ecosystem for our world-leading assessments, TOEFL and GRE” — Karan Lalit
“Students today are more informed, digital-first, and more outcome-driven in how they approach global education. For ETS, this is an opportunity to rethink how we engage, communicate, and stay relevant for the younger generation. I look forward to strengthening the brands connect with the next generation of learners and test-takers” — Pallavi Gupta
