Education
Opposition Demands Accountability Over CBSE Evaluation System Issues
The Congress has intensified its attack on the Centre over the CBSE on-screen marking (OSM) controversy, alleging that the transfer of two senior CBSE officials is merely an attempt to deflect responsibility. Rahul Gandhi has demanded the dismissal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and called for an independent judicial inquiry into the matter.
The Indian National Congress on Tuesday criticized the government’s decision to remove two senior CBSE officials amid the controversy surrounding the board’s on-screen marking (OSM) system, describing the move as an “eyewash” and an attempt to cover up deeper issues.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded the immediate removal of Dharmendra Pradhan and called for an independent judicial inquiry into allegations linked to the evaluation process and the implementation of the OSM system for Class 12 board examinations.
The remarks came after Gandhi met 18-year-old student Sarthak Sidhant and his family. Sidhant, who was affected by the CBSE evaluation process, has alleged irregularities in the tendering procedure used to select a vendor for the on-screen marking system.
Following the meeting, Gandhi shared photographs on social media and expressed support for the student, encouraging him to remain steadfast in pursuing transparency and accountability.
The controversy revolves around concerns raised by students regarding discrepancies in answer-sheet evaluation and the functioning of the digital marking system. Opposition leaders have argued that the issue extends beyond administrative lapses and warrants a broader investigation into the procurement and implementation process.
The Congress contended that merely transferring or repatriating officials would not address the underlying concerns and insisted that accountability must extend to policymakers and decision-makers responsible for the system’s rollout.
The developments come amid heightened scrutiny of the Central Board of Secondary Education, which has recently faced criticism over technical glitches, post-result services, and cybersecurity issues affecting student-related platforms.
While the government has announced leadership changes within CBSE and initiated measures to strengthen digital infrastructure, the opposition continues to demand a transparent and independent examination of the entire OSM framework.
Further political debate is expected as students, parents, education experts, and policymakers continue to seek clarity on the evaluation process and the steps being taken to restore confidence in the board’s systems.
