Student Takes CBSE’s On-Screen Marking Concerns to Parliamentary Panel
The controversy surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system has taken a significant turn. A Class 12 student, Sarthak Siddhant, appeared before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports on Tuesday to present his findings on alleged irregularities in the OSM system and its associated tender process.
During the meeting held at the Parliament House Annexe, the committee is reviewing the implementation of OSM in CBSE Class 12 board examinations, along with concerns raised by students regarding transparency and evaluation practices.
Allegations of Tender Process Irregularities
Ahead of the session, Siddhant claimed that a comparative analysis of CBSE’s tender documents revealed multiple discrepancies. He suggested that these modifications could potentially favor a specific service provider.
The student stated that his blog documents at least 15 such inconsistencies, and he planned to elaborate on three to four key issues during his presentation to the committee.
Changes to Tender Conditions Under Scrutiny
Siddhant alleged that several critical conditions were altered in the latest tender documents related to the OSM system. According to him, the previous tender included three important provisions for disqualifying companies with poor performance records, but these clauses were completely removed from the new Request for Proposal (RFP).
He further claimed that rules related to blacklisting, financial eligibility thresholds, CMMI certification levels, and project eligibility criteria were also modified.
Collaborative Investigation with Ethical Hackers and Journalists
The student revealed that his research was conducted in collaboration with ethical hacker Nisarg Adhikari and journalists investigating the matter. Siddhant expressed hope that the discussions would push toward greater transparency in public procurement processes and education evaluation systems.
Not Opposed to OSM, But Demands Better Preparation
Siddhant clarified that he is not entirely against the On-Screen Marking system. He acknowledged that OSM could represent a positive development, but emphasized that extensive testing and pilot programs should have been conducted before full-scale implementation.
“OSM is a good change, but comprehensive trials and pilot projects should have been carried out before rolling it out,” he said.
Three-Language Formula Also Under Review
According to sources, the parliamentary committee is also examining the three-language formula implemented in Classes 9 and 10. The committee is gathering feedback and suggestions on various issues related to the education system.
As the debate over CBSE’s OSM system continues to intensify, all eyes are now on the parliamentary committee’s forthcoming recommendations.
- The committee’s review comes amid growing student concerns about evaluation transparency
- Multiple discrepancies were allegedly found when comparing tender documents
- The student’s findings were developed with input from cybersecurity experts and investigative journalists
- While not opposing OSM outright, the student stresses the need for pilot testing before wider adoption
- The panel is also looking into the three-language formula as part of broader education system review
The outcome of this parliamentary scrutiny could have far-reaching implications for how CBSE conducts board examinations and manages its digital evaluation infrastructure. With the committee’s recommendations expected in the coming weeks, stakeholders across the education sector are closely monitoring the developments.
