Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has met 17-year-old Ranchi student Sarthak Siddhant, whose allegations regarding irregularities in CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system and the related tender process have triggered a nationwide debate. After noticing discrepancies in a scanned copy of his Class 12 answer sheet, Sarthak independently examined CBSE tender documents linked to the OSM project and raised concerns about both evaluation procedures and procurement practices.
His findings have now reached Parliament, where he was invited to brief a parliamentary committee. While students and parents have voiced concerns about transparency and fairness, CBSE has defended the system and initiated corrective measures in some cases. The Union Government has also ordered an inquiry into the procurement process, making the issue one of the most significant education controversies of the year.
From Student Concern To National Debate
What began as a student’s effort to understand apparent inconsistencies in his board examination evaluation has evolved into a national conversation about transparency, accountability and the growing role of technology in education.
Sarthak Siddhant, a 17-year-old student from Ranchi, emerged as one of the most prominent voices questioning CBSE’s newly introduced OSM system after reviewing a scanned copy of his answer sheet. His concerns soon gained traction among students, educators and policymakers, eventually drawing the attention of Parliament and political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress leader recently met Sarthak to understand the findings he claims to have uncovered while examining documents related to the OSM project. The meeting followed the teenager’s appearance before a parliamentary committee, significantly elevating the profile of the controversy.
How The Controversy Began
The OSM system was introduced during the 2026 CBSE Class 12 Board examinations to modernise answer-sheet evaluation. Under the system, physical answer sheets are scanned and assessed digitally by examiners.
However, following the declaration of results, students across the country began raising concerns during the verification and re-evaluation process. Some reported receiving scanned copies with blurred pages, missing responses, incomplete uploads or discrepancies that cast doubt on whether their answers had been assessed correctly. As these complaints spread across social media and student forums, concerns over the reliability and transparency of the new evaluation mechanism intensified.
Sarthak’s Findings And Tender Questions
After obtaining a scanned copy of his answer sheet, Sarthak reportedly noticed issues that prompted him to investigate further. Rather than limiting himself to seeking a re-evaluation, he began examining publicly available CBSE procurement records and tender documents linked to the OSM project.
According to reports, he raised questions about changes made to tender conditions during different stages of the procurement process. He alleged that modifications to eligibility requirements, performance criteria and experience-related conditions may have influenced vendor selection. He also raised concerns regarding the role of the company associated with implementing the project. These allegations remain under investigation, and no official inquiry has yet concluded that any wrongdoing took place. Nevertheless, they have fuelled demands for greater transparency and independent scrutiny.
Parliament And Rahul Gandhi Take Notice
The significance of the issue became evident when Sarthak was invited to Parliament House to present his findings before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports.
During the interaction, he reportedly shared details of student grievances, concerns regarding the functioning of the OSM system and questions surrounding the procurement process. The committee is understood to be examining the matter further and may seek additional explanations from CBSE and other stakeholders.
Shortly afterwards, Rahul Gandhi met the teenager and discussed his findings. The Congress leader publicly acknowledged Sarthak’s efforts and highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in public institutions. His intervention has added a political dimension to the controversy and amplified public attention on the issue.
Student Concerns, CBSE’s Response
The controversy has resonated widely because board examination results play a crucial role in determining higher education opportunities and future careers. Students from different parts of the country have shared experiences online alleging evaluation inconsistencies, answer-sheet mismatches and technical issues during the re-evaluation process.
CBSE, however, has maintained that the OSM system was introduced to improve efficiency, accuracy and transparency. The board has rejected claims of any breach in its operational systems and stated that some allegations circulating online stemmed from misunderstandings regarding testing platforms rather than the live examination infrastructure.
At the same time, CBSE has acknowledged receiving complaints and has undertaken corrective measures in relevant cases. It has also pointed to existing verification and re-evaluation mechanisms as safeguards designed to address genuine grievances.
As public scrutiny intensified, the Union Government initiated a formal inquiry into procurement-related concerns. Reports indicate that senior CBSE officials were transferred and a one-member inquiry panel headed by former bureaucrat S. Radha Chauhan was established to examine whether proper procedures were followed during vendor selection and implementation.
Why The Issue Matters
Beyond examination results, the controversy raises broader questions about digital governance, public procurement and accountability in education. As institutions increasingly rely on technology-driven systems, maintaining public trust requires transparency, effective oversight and timely responses to concerns.
The episode has also demonstrated how informed citizens, including students, can contribute meaningfully to public discourse by examining official records and seeking accountability through democratic processes. The outcome of the ongoing inquiries could influence future education reforms and the adoption of digital evaluation systems across the country.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The CBSE OSM controversy serves as an important reminder that transparency and accountability are essential when decisions affect the futures of millions of students. Questions raised by students deserve to be heard respectfully and investigated fairly, while institutions must be given the opportunity to respond through evidence and due process.
As education increasingly embraces digital systems, building trust requires openness, clear communication and a willingness to address shortcomings wherever they exist. The focus should remain on ensuring that every student’s work is evaluated fairly and that confidence in public institutions is strengthened. As investigations continue, what steps do you think educational authorities, students and policymakers should take to make examination systems more transparent and trustworthy?
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17-year old Sarthak Sidhant who exposed the anomalies in the CBSE’s tendering process for selecting vendors for online marking met Leader of Opposition Shri.Rahul Gandhi with his family. @RahulGandhi congratulated him for his work and advised him to stay true to his principles.… pic.twitter.com/tAUxAfUufF
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) June 3, 2026
