New Delhi: Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 board examinations, the Centre on Tuesday transferred CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta while simultaneously constituting a one-member inquiry committee to investigate matters related to the procurement of services for the digital evaluation platform.
The inquiry will be headed by S Radha Chauhan, Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, and is expected to examine issues related to the procurement process adopted for the implementation of the OSM system.
The developments come amid widespread concerns raised by students, parents and political leaders over alleged technical glitches and irregularities in the newly introduced digital evaluation mechanism.
Government Orders Inquiry Into OSM Procurement
According to official orders, the Government has constituted a One-Member Committee to inquire into matters related to the procurement of services for the On-Screen Marking System adopted by CBSE for the 2026 board examinations.
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The committee will be led by S Radha Chauhan, Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission.
The decision comes as the digital evaluation system faces scrutiny over allegations of technical shortcomings and concerns regarding answer-book access and evaluation procedures.
What Triggered the OSM Controversy?
This year, CBSE transitioned Class 12 answer-sheet evaluation to a fully digital On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
However, the move soon became controversial after several students reported problems while accessing their evaluated answer sheets.
Among the issues highlighted were:
- Blurred scans of answer books.
- Missing pages in uploaded answer scripts.
- Instances where students allegedly viewed answer sheets belonging to other candidates.
- Technical difficulties during the process of obtaining answer-book copies.
- Online payment failures experienced by students seeking access to evaluated scripts.
The complaints triggered concerns about the integrity and transparency of the digital evaluation process.
IIT and IIM Experts Brought In
As complaints mounted, CBSE reportedly involved experts from premier institutions, including IITs and IIMs, to examine the technical issues and assist in resolving system-related glitches.
The intervention was necessitated after large numbers of students reportedly faced difficulties accessing answer books and completing online payment procedures.
The move underscored the seriousness of the challenges faced during the implementation of the new digital evaluation platform.
Political Storm Over Digital Evaluation
The controversy soon expanded beyond administrative and technical concerns and entered the political arena.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi publicly criticised the Centre and questioned the selection of the private company entrusted with the evaluation process.
Raising concerns over the firm’s past record, Gandhi alleged that the company responsible for the CBSE evaluation system had previously been associated with controversies in Telangana’s intermediate examination process.
In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi claimed:
“The company Coempt (Edu Teck), which was handed this responsibility (on-screen marking), had already pulled off the same deed in Telangana in 2019 under the name Globarena.”
He further alleged that despite awareness of the company’s past history, the contract had still been awarded.
The remarks intensified the debate surrounding the digital evaluation process and procurement procedures.
CBSE Rejects Allegations
CBSE subsequently issued a detailed clarification rejecting the allegations.
The Board described the claims as:
- Erroneous
- Misleading
- Not based on facts
The CBSE statement emphasized that the procurement process followed all prescribed government procedures and financial regulations.
According to the Board:
“CBSE has followed the General Financial Rules protocols scrupulously in the awarding of the contract to the agency.”
The Board stated that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for digital evaluation of answer books for Board Examinations 2026 was floated on the Central Public Procurement Portal on August 28, 2025.
Following the bidding process, the contract was awarded to Coempt Edu Teck, Hyderabad, after completion of the prescribed procurement procedures.
Telangana 2019 Controversy Revisited
The current debate has also revived discussions around the Telangana Intermediate Board examination controversy of 2019.
At the time, reports indicated that over three lakh students among approximately nine lakh candidates who appeared for Class 12 examinations were initially declared failed.
Subsequent investigations reportedly suggested that evaluators were working under significant pressure to complete assessments quickly, which may have contributed to discrepancies.
Reports from that period also mentioned that Globarena Technologies, involved in result processing and digitisation of marks, was criticised by a committee constituted by the Telangana government for certain technical shortcomings.
The historical references have become part of the ongoing political and public debate regarding CBSE’s digital evaluation process.
Who is Rahul Singh?
Rahul Singh is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1996 batch from the Bihar cadre.
Educational Background
Born on August 15, 1971.
Holds a B.Tech degree in Computer Science.
Completed postgraduate studies in Public Policy and Management from IIM Ahmedabad.
Administrative Career
Over nearly three decades, Singh has served in several key administrative positions at both state and central levels.
His career includes:
- Sub-Divisional Officer
- District Magistrate and Collector
- Transport Commissioner
- Managing Director of government institutions
- Departmental Secretary
- Joint Secretary, Government of India
- Additional Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)
CBSE Chairman
Rahul Singh was appointed Chairman of CBSE on March 26, 2024.
During his tenure, the Board initiated several reforms, including the transition to the digital On-Screen Marking system for Class 12 examinations.
His transfer comes amid the ongoing inquiry into the procurement and implementation of the OSM platform.
Who is Himanshu Gupta?
Himanshu Gupta, an IAS officer of the 2020 batch from the AGMUT cadre, is widely known for his inspirational journey from humble beginnings to the civil services.
Early Life and Struggles
Born in Sitarganj, Uttarakhand, and raised in Sirauli village in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district, Gupta grew up in a financially challenged household.
His father worked as a daily wage labourer and later operated a roadside tea stall.
During his school years, Gupta often assisted his father while simultaneously pursuing his education.
He reportedly travelled nearly 70 kilometres daily to attend school.
Academic Excellence
Determined to improve his circumstances, Gupta moved to Delhi for higher education.
He:
- Graduated from Hindu College, Delhi University.
- Earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Science.
- Topped his university class.
- Declined an opportunity to pursue a PhD abroad to focus on UPSC preparation.
UPSC Success Story
Gupta’s UPSC journey is particularly remarkable because he cleared the examination three times through self-study.
His achievements include:
- 2018: Selected for the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS).
- 2019: Qualified for the Indian Police Service (IPS).
- 2020: Secured All India Rank 139 and joined the Indian Administrative Service.
Career in Administration
Following various assignments in land revenue and personnel administration, Gupta was appointed Secretary of CBSE in late 2023.
His tenure at the Board concluded with Tuesday’s transfer amid the unfolding OSM controversy.
Significance of the Developments
The simultaneous transfer of CBSE’s top two officials and the constitution of an inquiry committee indicate the seriousness with which the Government is treating concerns surrounding the On-Screen Marking system.
While the inquiry is specifically focused on procurement-related matters, the controversy has raised broader questions regarding the implementation of large-scale digital evaluation systems affecting millions of students.
The findings of the S Radha Chauhan-led committee are likely to play a crucial role in determining future reforms, accountability mechanisms and the continued use of digital evaluation technologies in India’s school examination system.
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