“The CBSE OSM controversy intensified after the Centre replaced the board’s top leadership amid mounting complaints over the 2026 Class 12 digital evaluation system.“
The Centre has replaced the top leadership of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) days after mounting complaints over the board’s new digital evaluation system triggered one of the biggest examination controversies in recent years.
Prashant Sitaram Lokhande, a 2001-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer, was appointed CBSE Chairperson on June 2, replacing Rahul Singh. Varun Bhardwaj, a 2008-batch Indian Information Service officer, was named the new CBSE Secretary in place of Himanshu Gupta. The appointments came as the Union government ordered a probe into the board’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system used for the 2026 Class 12 examinations.
The digital evaluation model replaced physical answer-book checking this year. Under the system, evaluators assessed scanned copies of answer sheets online. Within days of results being declared, students across Delhi, Hyderabad and several other cities began reporting discrepancies ranging from missing pages and blurred scans to alleged mismatches between written answers and awarded marks.
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Complaints Cross Lakhs
CBSE later reopened its re-evaluation portal and extended deadlines after widespread backlash. According to reports, more than 1.1 million requests for answer-sheet copies and verification were filed, while over 400,000 students flagged concerns linked to evaluation accuracy and technical glitches. “The website will stay open till June 6 midnight”, CBSE said while announcing additional access for students seeking verification and re-evaluation.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan admitted there were “some discrepancies” in the OSM process and said corrective measures would be taken. A one-member inquiry committee led by S. Radha Chauhan, Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, has been tasked with examining the procurement and implementation of the system.
Contract Under Scrutiny
The controversy widened after questions emerged over CBSE’s contract with Hyderabad-based Coempt Edutech Pvt Ltd, the company handling scanning and digital evaluation. Media reports said Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was also in contention during bidding.
Class 12 student Sarthak Sidhant, who later addressed a parliamentary panel on education, alleged irregularities in the tender process. According to reports, Sidhant claimed Coempt failed to disclose links to Globarena, a company previously associated with the Telangana Education Board.
“The members were so impressed that one of them asked why didn’t the CBSE already appoint him an adviser”, some reports said, citing sources familiar with the parliamentary discussion.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also attacked the board over the issue, accusing authorities of jeopardizing students’ futures through a flawed evaluation rollout. CBSE rejected the allegations and defended the tender process. The Delhi High Court is now hearing petitions seeking fresh verification of answer sheets and a wider probe into the OSM system.
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