The Central Board of Secondary Education has appointed Mandeep Bhandari as its new chairperson, officials confirmed on Monday.

Bhandari takes charge of the country’s largest school education board, which oversees thousands of affiliated schools and the board examinations taken by millions of students each year.

The appointment comes at a busy time for the board, with preparations under way for the next round of Class 10 and Class 12 examinations.

Officials said Bhandari brings wide administrative experience to the role and is expected to focus on the smooth conduct of examinations and ongoing curriculum reforms. The board is also working on changes to assessment patterns aimed at reducing student stress.

The board has faced scrutiny in recent years over issues including exam scheduling and paper leaks, and the new chairperson’s tenure will be closely watched by students, parents and schools. Stakeholders will expect early steps to strengthen the examination process.