Centre Transfers CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh, Secretary Himanshu Gupta Amid OSM Controversy; High-Level Probe Ordered
Government Cracks Down on CBSE’s On-Screen Marking System as Procurement Process Comes Under Scanner
In a major administrative shake-up, the Central Government has transferred CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta amid mounting controversy over the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Simultaneously, the Centre has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the procurement and implementation of OSM services, signaling serious concerns over the digital evaluation framework used in the 2026 board examinations.
The action follows weeks of criticism from students, parents, teachers, education experts, and political leaders regarding alleged irregularities in the OSM system. Questions were raised about technical glitches, evaluation inconsistencies, procurement procedures, and the transparency of the contract awarded for the digital marking platform. The controversy intensified after reports suggested that tender conditions may have been modified during the procurement process, prompting demands for an independent investigation.
According to reports, the inquiry will examine the entire procurement process, including tender conditions, eligibility criteria, contract awards, implementation mechanisms, and operational performance of the OSM platform. Former senior bureaucrat S. Radha Chauhan has reportedly been entrusted with leading the probe. The committee is expected to determine whether established procurement norms were followed and whether any procedural lapses affected the evaluation process.
The OSM system, introduced to digitize answer-sheet evaluation and improve efficiency, came under severe scrutiny after the declaration of CBSE Class XII results. Students and evaluators reported concerns ranging from scanning errors and training deficiencies to alleged discrepancies between expected and awarded marks. Several student groups and education activists argued that the new system may have adversely affected evaluation accuracy and fairness.
Political pressure also mounted in recent days. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi publicly questioned the OSM contract award process and called for an independent judicial inquiry, alleging repeated relaxation of tender conditions before the contract was finalized. These allegations significantly amplified public attention on the issue and increased pressure on the Education Ministry to act.
The government’s decision to transfer the two senior CBSE officials is being viewed as one of the strongest responses yet to the controversy. While the transfers do not imply wrongdoing, they underscore the seriousness with which the Centre is treating the allegations and concerns surrounding the examination body’s digital evaluation system. Officials have emphasized that the inquiry aims to ensure accountability, transparency, and public confidence in India’s largest school examination board.
Why This Matters
The controversy strikes at the heart of India’s school examination system. CBSE oversees examinations for millions of students across the country, and any perceived flaw in evaluation processes can have far-reaching consequences for higher education admissions, scholarships, and student careers. The findings of the inquiry committee could influence future reforms in digital assessment systems and public-sector technology procurement across the education sector.
