Rahul Gandhi Meets Student Who Flagged CBSE OSM Issues, Says 'Stay Firm In Your Principles'

The Union government removes two senior Central Board of Secondary Education officials and starts a formal probe into alleged flaws in the Class 12 digital evaluation system, while Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi alleges a “cover-up” and insists Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must also face action over the CBSE on-screen marking controversy.

Officials say CBSE chairman Rahul Singh and secretary Himanshu Gupta are transferred after questions arise over how the national board selected Coempt EduTeck to run the on-screen marking system for Class 12. A one-member panel now examines the CBSE OSM portal row, focusing on procurement and oversight lapses.

Government action and transfers in CBSE OSM portal row

The Cabinet Secretariat issues a memorandum forming a committee to study how CBSE procured digital evaluation services. The panel looks particularly at the on-screen marking system used for the Class 12 examination and scrutinises contracts and processes linked to the CBSE OSM portal row and Coempt EduTeck.

The government says these moves follow complaints about irregularities in the Class 12 digital evaluation system.

Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of probe in CBSE OSM portal row

Rahul Gandhi dismisses the changes as cosmetic and claims real accountability is missing. In a post on X, Gandhi writes, “CBSE Chairman - Transferred. CBSE Secretary - Transferred. A one-member 'inquiry' committee - Formed. And the real culprit, Dharmendra Pradhan - Safe. "Officials removed. Minister spared. This isn't accountability-it's a cover-up," the Congress leader said in his post.

Gandhi says the removal of officials means little while Dharmendra Pradhan continues as minister. Gandhi reiterates, “Our demand remains the same today: Dismiss the Education Minister and conduct an independent judicial inquiry - these aren't some one-month-old internal file of the Modi government to be brushed aside just like that.” Gandhi links the CBSE OSM portal row to wider concerns about student trust.

In another post on X, written in Hindi, Gandhi argues that real concern for examinees would have led to ministerial action. Gandhi says, “If the Prime Minister cared for about the 18.5 lakh CBSE students - Dharmendra Pradhan ji would have been removed long ago,” directly tying the CBSE OSM portal row to the fate of Class 12 candidates.

Student whistle-blower at centre of CBSE OSM portal row

As the political exchanges grow, Rahul Gandhi meets 17-year-old student Sarthak Sidhant, whose findings first drew attention to the CBSE OSM portal row. Sarthak raises doubts over Coempt EduTeck’s contract with CBSE and flags alleged discrepancies. Sharing photos from the meeting, Gandhi posts the message, “Stay firm in your principles”.

Sarthak reportedly studied the on-screen marking system and pointed to mismatches he believed affected marking fairness. These claims trigger questions over digital evaluation of the Class 12 exam and help uncover possible issues in how Coempt EduTeck was chosen for the CBSE OSM portal row, according to party leaders and officials familiar with the case.

The inquiry committee is headed by S Radha Chauhan, chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, who receives authority to seek help from any department. The Cabinet Secretariat says the Capacity Building Commission will provide secretarial support as the panel studies the CBSE OSM portal row and submits its report to the Department of Personnel and Training within one month.

The government action, the student’s role as whistle-blower and Rahul Gandhi’s demands together keep attention focused on the CBSE OSM portal row. With 18.5 lakh students linked to the Class 12 results, both the inquiry findings and any future decisions on Dharmendra Pradhan remain central to the debate on accountability in school examinations.