EducationTechnology – CBSE Defends Digital Evaluation System Amid Fresh Controversy
EducationTechnology – The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has defended its On-Screen Marking (OSM) system following growing criticism and concerns linked to the digital assessment process for Class 12 board examinations. The Board stated on Thursday that the evaluation platform is secure, technologically reliable, and protected through multiple layers of monitoring and verification.
CBSE Clarifies Security Measures
In an official statement shared on social media platform X, CBSE said its evaluation portal has not faced any security breach or technical compromise. According to the Board, the digital system used for checking answer sheets has undergone detailed security testing and certification through approved audit agencies.
The Board also highlighted that the scanning and processing of answer books are supported by strong digital infrastructure and several quality-control procedures. Officials maintained that students’ answer sheets remain safe throughout the evaluation process and that multiple checks are conducted before marks are finalised.
The clarification comes at a time when discussions around the OSM system have intensified online, particularly after allegations regarding discrepancies in answer sheet evaluations began circulating on social media.
Questions Raised Over Evaluation Contract
The controversy is also connected to the contract awarded for the digital evaluation of Class 12 board exam copies for the 2026 academic session. Earlier this week, CBSE rejected allegations linked to the selection of Coempt Edutech for the project.
The Board described the accusations as misleading and factually incorrect. It further stated that the contract was granted after following all procedures outlined under the General Financial Rules. According to CBSE, the process remained transparent and compliant with government regulations.
Despite the Board’s clarification, the issue has continued to attract political attention and public debate.
Rahul Gandhi Demands Independent Investigation
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called for an independent judicial inquiry along with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter. He alleged that the company associated with the OSM process had a controversial background connected to earlier incidents in Telangana.
In a video statement posted on social media, Gandhi claimed that the firm previously operated under the name Globarena and had faced allegations related to examination evaluation problems in Telangana during earlier years.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha further alleged that similar issues in past examination systems had severely impacted students and families. He accused the government of remaining silent despite growing concerns raised by students and parents over the evaluation process.
Student Complaints Add to Concerns
Alongside the political debate, several Class 12 students have also raised objections regarding their results. Some students alleged that scanned answer sheets uploaded online did not match their handwriting, while others questioned differences between expected and awarded marks.
These complaints have triggered discussions among parents and education experts about the accuracy and transparency of digital evaluation systems in large-scale public examinations.
However, CBSE has continued to maintain that its platform follows strict verification standards and that no confirmed technical flaw has been identified in the evaluation portal. The Board has not announced any major changes to the current process but reiterated that all answer books undergo systematic checks before results are released.
Focus on Transparency and Trust
The latest developments have placed renewed focus on the growing use of technology in examination assessment across India. While digital evaluation systems are designed to improve speed and efficiency, concerns raised by students and political leaders have increased demands for greater transparency and accountability in the process.
Education observers believe the issue may lead to broader discussions on how examination boards handle digital infrastructure, grievance redressal mechanisms, and data verification during result preparation.
CBSE, meanwhile, has assured students and parents that the integrity of the examination process remains protected and that the Board is committed to maintaining fairness in evaluation procedures.