CBSE Dismisses Allegations Surrounding OSM Contract Award to COEMPT Edutech
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has firmly rejected allegations regarding the awarding of a contract to COEMPT Edutech for its On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Describing the claims as baseless and misleading, the board asserted that the entire tendering process strictly adhered to established financial regulations.
In an official statement released on its social media channels, CBSE clarified that the Request for Proposal (RFP) was published on the Central Public Procurement Portal on August 28, 2025, specifically for the digital evaluation of answer sheets for the 2026 board examinations. The contract was subsequently awarded to the eligible bidder following due process. The board emphasized that all procedural norms were meticulously followed, leaving no room for irregularities.
Rahul Gandhi Demands Direct Answers
Reacting sharply to CBSE’s denial, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to social media to question the board’s response. He remarked that a simple refusal to acknowledge allegations does not constitute a valid answer. Gandhi pressed for direct responses to the four straightforward questions he had previously raised, stressing that the future of over 18.5 lakh students hangs in the balance. He reiterated that students deserve to know the truth behind the selection of the contractor.
Congress Leader Raises Serious Concerns
The controversy began when Rahul Gandhi targeted the central government over the OSM system and the contract awarded to COEMPT Edutech. He demanded an independent judicial inquiry and a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the matter. Gandhi pointed out that COEMPT Edutech was previously known as ‘Globarena’ and had been linked to examination-related controversies in Telangana during 2019 and 2023. He also alleged that flaws in the On-Screen Marking process in Telangana had tragically led to the suicides of 23 students.
Gandhi further questioned why CBSE proceeded with awarding the contract despite the company’s publicly known track record. He sought clarity on which procedural steps were overlooked during the awarding process and demanded transparency regarding any connections between the company’s management and the central government.
Congress Calls for Education Minister’s Resignation
Amid the escalating dispute, the Congress party has escalated its demands by calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The party accused the government of evading accountability and failing to address the serious questions raised. The situation intensified further after several Class 12 students complained about discrepancies in their examination results.
Students alleged that the scanned copies of their answer sheets uploaded by the board did not match their original handwriting. These complaints fueled doubts about the reliability of the OSM system. In response, CBSE sources indicated that the board is treating all grievances with utmost seriousness and is conducting priority-based reviews of each complaint to ensure fairness and accuracy.
The board has urged stakeholders not to jump to conclusions and has expressed confidence in the integrity of its evaluation process. Meanwhile, the political and public scrutiny over the contract continues to grow, with opposition parties demanding thorough transparency and accountability from the education authorities.
