Rahul Gandhi Intensifies Criticism Over CBSE Evaluation Dispute
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has sharpened his criticism of the Centre and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), alleging serious irregularities in the board’s digital evaluation system for Class 12 examinations.
The Congress MP cited fresh allegations surrounding the scanning of answer sheets and claimed that procedural changes in the tender process may have compromised the integrity of the evaluation exercise. His remarks come amid growing concerns raised by students, researchers and cybersecurity experts regarding the implementation of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
Questions Raised Over Tender Modifications
In a post on social media, Gandhi alleged that technical requirements originally included in the tender process were later altered before the contract was awarded. He claimed that standards relating to scanning quality and equipment specifications were weakened, allowing the selected vendor to operate under less stringent conditions.
Referring to reports that answer books may have been digitised using mobile devices rather than specialised scanning systems, Gandhi argued that issues such as blurred images, missing pages and incomplete records were the predictable outcome of a flawed process.
He further alleged that students affected by evaluation discrepancies deserved answers and accountability from the authorities involved.
Students And Researchers Flag Fresh Concerns
The controversy gained momentum after student researcher Sarthak Sidhant and ethical hacker Nisarga Adhikary highlighted alleged inconsistencies in the digital evaluation ecosystem.
Sidhant questioned the quality of scanned answer sheets circulating online, pointing to visible shadows, folds and image characteristics that he claimed were inconsistent with professional scanning equipment. He argued that the visual anomalies warranted an explanation from the authorities overseeing the project.
Meanwhile, Adhikary alleged that vulnerabilities in the online evaluation platform could allow unauthorised access to answer-sheet records, raising concerns about data security and system integrity.
CBSE’s Digital Evaluation Initiative Faces Scrutiny
The OSM system was introduced as a major technological upgrade aimed at speeding up assessment, improving transparency and reducing human errors in the marking process. However, following the declaration of Class 12 results, numerous students reported issues including blurred answer-sheet scans, missing pages, mismatched answer books and unexpectedly low scores in key subjects.
Several complaints also emerged regarding difficulties accessing re-evaluation services, adding to student frustration.
The controversy intensified after reports surfaced that some students allegedly received answer books that did not belong to them, prompting questions about the handling and digitisation of examination records.
Cybersecurity Concerns Add To Pressure
Amid the growing debate, CBSE acknowledged the existence of vulnerabilities in one of the digital platforms linked to the evaluation system. The board stated that cybersecurity experts, government agencies and academic specialists had been engaged to strengthen security measures and address concerns.
The issue has now evolved beyond exam results, with questions being raised about procurement procedures, technological safeguards and transparency in one of the country’s largest education assessment systems.
Political Heat Builds Around The Issue
Rahul Gandhi also renewed his demand for accountability from the Union Education Ministry, arguing that the concerns raised by students and independent investigators cannot be ignored.
As scrutiny of the OSM project intensifies, the controversy is increasingly emerging as a major challenge for CBSE, with students, parents and education experts closely watching how authorities respond to the allegations and calls for a thorough investigation.
