New Delhi: Amid mounting controversy surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, the Central Government has entrusted retired IAS officer S. Radha Chauhan with the responsibility of conducting a high-level inquiry into the issue. The move comes after widespread complaints from students and parents regarding alleged discrepancies in digital evaluation, delays in re-evaluation processes, and technical glitches associated with the OSM platform.
The Centre has constituted a one-member committee headed by S. Radha Chauhan, currently Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), to examine matters related to the procurement and implementation of services linked to the OSM system. The committee has been directed to submit its findings within one month and may seek assistance from officials of other government departments if required.
The decision follows a dramatic leadership overhaul at CBSE, with Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta being transferred amid the growing controversy.
Government Turns to a Veteran Administrator
The appointment of S. Radha Chauhan reflects the government’s confidence in her extensive administrative experience spanning more than three decades. A 1988-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, Chauhan retired as Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), on June 30, 2025.
Following her retirement, the Centre appointed her as Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission under Mission Karmayogi, a key reform initiative aimed at enhancing the capabilities of India’s civil services.
As CBC Chairperson, Chauhan oversees reforms related to capacity building, training standards and institutional strengthening across government departments. The position places her at the heart of administrative reforms being monitored at the highest levels of government.
Read also: Who Is IIS Varun Bhardwaj? Meet the New CBSE Secretary Appointed Amid OSM Controversy
Who Is S. Radha Chauhan?
Born on June 21, 1964, S. Radha Chauhan belongs to the 1988 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and is a Uttar Pradesh cadre officer.
She possesses a strong academic background, holding degrees in Botany and Law (LL.B.), which provided the foundation for a distinguished administrative career.
Over the years, she earned a reputation for handling complex governance assignments across sectors such as:
- Education
- Health
- Rural Development
- Women and Child Development
- Urban Development
- Digital Governance
- Skill Development
- Personnel Administration
She is also fluent in English, Hindi and Tamil.
Extensive Experience in Uttar Pradesh Administration
During her tenure in Uttar Pradesh, Chauhan held several important field and administrative assignments.
She served as:
- District Magistrate and Collector in multiple districts
- Additional Commissioner in Bulandshahr, Pilibhit, Agra and Meerut
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Noida Authority
- Deputy CEO of the Greater Noida Authority
- Divisional Commissioner, Ghaziabad
Her experience in land administration, urban development and public service delivery made her one of the state’s most respected bureaucrats.
Key Role in Education Sector
One of the reasons the government is believed to have selected Chauhan for the CBSE inquiry is her substantial experience in the education sector.
Between 2011 and 2015, she served as Joint Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy under the then Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education).
In that role, she was closely involved in policy formulation and implementation related to school education, giving her first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by educational institutions and examination systems.
Architect of India’s Digital Governance Initiatives
Apart from education, Chauhan played a major role in India’s digital governance ecosystem.
She served as:
Chairperson and CEO, National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
At NeGD, she contributed to the expansion of digital governance initiatives aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in public service delivery.
CEO, Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
She also headed the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), India’s flagship online procurement platform that transformed public purchasing processes through digital transparency and accountability.
Her expertise in technology-driven governance is considered particularly relevant as the CBSE inquiry involves a digital evaluation platform.
Rise to the Top: Secretary, DoPT
In May 2022, Chauhan was appointed Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), one of the most influential positions in the Union Government.
As DoPT Secretary, she oversaw matters relating to:
- Civil services management
- Bureaucratic appointments
- Personnel policies
- Administrative reforms
- Capacity-building initiatives
She remained in the post until her retirement in June 2025, completing more than 36 years of public service.
Current Role: Chairperson, Capacity Building Commission
Since August 1, 2025, S. Radha Chauhan has been serving as Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission.
The commission functions under the Mission Karmayogi framework and is tasked with modernising the training ecosystem for civil servants across India.
In this role, she works closely on governance reforms, institutional strengthening and performance enhancement within government departments.
Why Was She Chosen for the CBSE OSM Probe?
The government’s decision to appoint Chauhan appears to be based on a combination of factors:
- Extensive experience in school education administration
- Strong background in digital governance and technology-led reforms
- Experience handling large public institutions
- Expertise in administrative accountability and transparency
- Reputation for integrity and policy implementation
These credentials make her well-suited to examine allegations surrounding CBSE’s digital evaluation framework and procurement processes.
CBSE OSM Controversy: What Triggered the Probe?
The controversy erupted after students and parents raised concerns regarding the implementation of CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system introduced for board examination evaluations.
Among the issues highlighted were:
- Technical glitches in the digital evaluation process
- Delays in verification and re-evaluation results
- Payment-related difficulties on portals
- Alleged mismatches between scanned answer sheets and students’ handwriting
- Questions over transparency and accountability
- As public pressure mounted, the government initiated a series of measures, including:
- Transfer of CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh
- Transfer of CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta
- Appointment of Prashant Sitaram Lokhande as new CBSE Chairman
- Constitution of an inquiry committee headed by S. Radha Chauhan
Report Expected Within One Month
The committee headed by S. Radha Chauhan has been directed to submit its report within a month. The findings are expected to play a crucial role in determining whether procedural, technological or administrative shortcomings contributed to the controversy.
With millions of students and parents closely watching developments, the inquiry is likely to be one of the most significant examinations of CBSE’s digital evaluation system since its introduction.
Read also: Who Is Prashant Sitaram Lokhande? IAS Officer Appointed New CBSE Chairman Amid OSM Controversy
