CBSE OSM Controversy: Congress Questions Higher Costs and Demands Independent Probe
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raises concerns over inflated costs in CBSE's On-Screen Marking system, alleging the contract value rose from Rs 28 crore to Rs 38.46 crore without change in work volume.
AC Team
The Central Board of Secondary Education's new digital evaluation system has sparked a political storm. Congress has raised questions about why the board paid much more than necessary for its On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that CBSE's own governing body had warned about the high costs. In a meeting held in December 2024, members noted that the financial impact of implementing OSM was "substantially high" compared to the old evaluation methods.
The Numbers Don't Add Up
Here's where things get interesting. Ramesh cited a report that showed the contract value jumped without any change in the actual work. The first two tenders put the cost at Rs 28 crore. But the final work order given to COEMPT listed Rs 38.46 crore. That's an increase of over Rs 10 crore for the same amount of work.
If you calculate based on the actual number of answer sheets scanned, the cost should have been around Rs 25.39 crore. That's only 66 per cent of what the work order stated. Someone needs to explain where the extra money went.
What Is the OSM System?
For those wondering, the On-Screen Marking system is CBSE's new way of checking answer sheets digitally. Instead of teachers marking physical papers, they now evaluate scanned copies on computer screens. The system was meant to make evaluation faster and more transparent.
But students raised concerns when they noticed something odd. Some Class 12 students claimed the scanned copies of their answer sheets didn't match their handwriting. This raised red flags about possible mix-ups in the system.
Parliamentary Committee Left With Questions
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education recently heard from 18-year-old whistleblower Sarthak Sidhant. After his submission, committee members asked CBSE officials several questions about how they chose the vendor and handled the procurement process.
According to Ramesh, CBSE officials couldn't provide satisfactory answers. This silence is raising more doubts about the entire process.
Who Takes Responsibility?
Ramesh didn't mince words when talking about Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's role. He said only the minister can explain why CBSE was pushed to adopt an expensive system at inflated rates. This happened even after the governing body expressed concerns about costs.
The Congress leader called for Pradhan's resignation. He argued that an independent investigation can only happen if the minister steps aside. Otherwise, the one-member committee set up by the government will just be for show.
Government's Response So Far
The government has taken some action. CBSE chairman Rahul Singh and secretary Himanshu Gupta were removed from their positions following the allegations. The Cabinet Secretariat also formed a one-member committee to investigate the procurement process.
But Congress sees these moves as attempts to shift blame away from the minister. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter.
Why This Matters to Students and Parents
This controversy affects millions of students who appear for CBSE board exams each year. If there are genuine problems with the evaluation system, students' futures could be at stake. Wrong marks or mixed-up answer sheets can change college admission prospects.
Parents who trust CBSE to fairly evaluate their children's work deserve answers. They need to know whether the system works properly and whether their money (in the form of exam fees) is being spent wisely.
The Bigger Picture
This case highlights broader questions about government procurement. When public institutions buy services, they must ensure transparency and value for money. Taxpayers fund these purchases, so officials need to justify their decisions.
The CBSE's own governing body warned about high costs. Yet someone decided to go ahead anyway. And not just that, the final amount was even higher than the initial estimates. These facts need proper investigation.
What Happens Next?
All eyes are now on the one-member committee set up to investigate the matter. Will it conduct a thorough probe? Will it have the independence to question senior officials and ministers? Or will it just rubber-stamp the government's version of events?
Congress has made it clear they won't let this issue die down. With Lok Sabha sessions coming up, expect more questions and debates. The opposition has found an issue that combines education concerns with allegations of financial irregularities. That's a powerful combination in politics.
Students and parents, meanwhile, hope for answers. They want to know if the evaluation system can be trusted. They want assurance that their answer sheets are safe and properly checked. And they want to know that the money CBSE spends actually benefits them, not just contractors.
The controversy also shows how young people like Sarthak Sidhant are stepping up to question authority. An 18-year-old bringing these issues to a parliamentary committee is noteworthy. It suggests that the next generation won't accept things at face value. They will ask questions and demand accountability.
