The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has denied allegations linked to its decision to award the digital evaluation contract for board examinations to Hyderabad-based edtech company Coempt Eduteck. The controversy began after students and parents raised concerns about the newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, citing blurred answer-sheet scans, missing pages and answer-copy mismatches during verification.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the tender process and demanded an independent probe, while CBSE defended its procurement procedures, stating that all government financial and public tender norms were followed transparently. As the issue continues to trend across social media and YouTube, it has sparked wider concerns over transparency, accountability and the growing role of private technology firms in India’s education system.
What Triggered The Controversy?
The controversy centres on CBSE’s rollout of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for evaluating Class 12 board examination answer sheets. Introduced to modernise the evaluation process, the system allows physical answer scripts to be scanned and assessed digitally by evaluators online.
However, after the declaration of results, several students who applied for answer-sheet verification reported discrepancies in the scanned copies they received. Some alleged that pages were missing or incorrectly arranged, while others said the scans were blurred or unreadable. One widely discussed case involved a student reportedly receiving another candidate’s answer booklet during verification, raising concerns about data integrity and system reliability. The complaints quickly spread across social media platforms, where screenshots and videos triggered public criticism of both the OSM system and the private company managing the digital infrastructure.
Rahul Gandhi Questions Tender Process
The matter gained political attention after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi publicly questioned CBSE’s decision to award the contract to Coempt Eduteck. Through social media posts and video statements, Gandhi alleged “massive tampering” in the evaluation process and called for a judicial inquiry and Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
He also questioned the company’s background and referred to alleged links between Coempt Eduteck and Globarena Technology Pvt Ltd, which had earlier faced scrutiny in Telangana over examination-related issues. Gandhi argued that the public deserved greater transparency regarding how the company was selected to handle evaluation infrastructure affecting lakhs of students. After CBSE issued its clarification, Gandhi responded by saying that “a denial is not an answer” and accused authorities of failing to directly address concerns related to technical safeguards and accountability.
CBSE Defends Procurement Process
In response, CBSE rejected the allegations and stated that the tender process was conducted strictly according to government rules. The Board said the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the digital evaluation project was floated publicly through the Central Public Procurement portal and that all General Financial Rules protocols were followed “scrupulously.”
CBSE described the allegations as “erroneous, misleading and not based on facts” and defended the integrity of the evaluation portal, asserting that appropriate safeguards were in place. Officials also stressed that the shift towards digital evaluation was part of broader efforts to modernise examination systems and improve efficiency in handling millions of answer sheets every year.
Social Media Debate and Public Concerns
Despite CBSE’s clarification, discussions around the controversy have continued to dominate social media. Users on X, Instagram, and YouTube have debated the credibility of the OSM system, questioned the role of private technology firms in public examinations, and shared screenshots of alleged answer-sheet discrepancies.
Several online discussions have also focused on Coempt Eduteck’s corporate background and its reported association with earlier examination technology projects. Although no official wrongdoing has been established, the speculation has intensified calls for greater transparency.
YouTube channels covering education and current affairs have also published explainers examining the OSM system, the tender process, and the implications for students. The issue has now evolved beyond isolated technical complaints into a wider debate on digital governance and accountability in education.
Coempt Eduteck Responds
Amid mounting criticism, Coempt Eduteck defended its role and dismissed claims of widespread failure. Company representatives reportedly stated that only a limited number of cases had been flagged and argued that isolated technical issues should not be treated as evidence of systemic collapse.
However, critics maintain that even a small number of errors in a high-stakes examination system can significantly damage public trust and student confidence.
Wider Questions Over Digitisation
The controversy has reignited broader conversations about the rapid digitisation of India’s education system. Experts say that while digital evaluation can improve efficiency and reduce delays, it also requires robust safeguards, transparent procurement processes and effective grievance redressal systems.
Concerns have also been raised about data security, quality control during scanning, and oversight of private vendors managing sensitive educational infrastructure. At the same time, supporters of digital reform argue that large-scale technological transitions often face initial challenges and require refinement rather than rejection.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The controversy surrounding CBSE’s OSM system highlights the delicate balance between technological innovation and public trust in education. While digital reforms are important for improving efficiency in a system that serves millions of students, transparency, accountability and student confidence must remain central to every reform process.
Institutions must respond to public concerns openly and responsibly, while political stakeholders and social media users should avoid fuelling panic before all facts are verified. Students and parents deserve empathy, clear communication, and swift grievance redressal mechanisms in matters directly affecting their academic futures.
Ultimately, this debate is larger than one contract or one company. It reflects the need for India’s education system to ensure that digital transformation remains fair, inclusive and trustworthy for every student. Do you think stronger safeguards are needed before expanding digital evaluation systems across India’s education sector?
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CBSE OSM Controversy: The spotlight is now on the Hyderabad private company, Coepmt Eduteck pvt ltd, allegedly linked to the system and possible conflict of interest in the review process.
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