CBSE Chairman, Secretary Transferred Amid On-Screen Marking System Probe

In a bold move, the Centre has relocated CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta, responding to growing concerns over the Board's tech-based evaluation system. An inquiry into the procurement process for On-Screen Marking services has been launched, aiming to tackle the criticisms head-on.

The Centre has transferred CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta and launched an inquiry into the procurement of the Board's On-Screen Marking (OSM) services, marking a significant escalation in the government's response to concerns surrounding the examination body's digital evaluation framework.

The decision follows sustained criticism of CBSE's post-result processes and the functioning of its technology-driven services, which came under intense public scrutiny in the weeks after the declaration of Class 10 and 12 board examination results.

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Rahul Singh, an IAS officer, was responsible for overseeing the Board's operations and examination reforms, while Himanshu Gupta supervised key administrative functions, including finance and affiliations.

Questions surrounding CBSE's digital infrastructure surfaced after students seeking access to scanned copies of their answer sheets reported a range of issues. Complaints included blurred images, missing pages and technical difficulties while using the Board's online platforms.

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Attention subsequently shifted to the OSM system, which is used in the evaluation process, and the manner in which related services were procured. Allegations regarding the tendering process, coupled with concerns over cybersecurity and the efficiency of re-evaluation services, led to growing demands for greater transparency.

As criticism mounted, CBSE introduced a series of corrective measures, including deadline extensions and procedural clarifications, while assuring students that all legitimate grievances would be addressed through established channels.

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The newly constituted inquiry committee has been tasked with examining the procurement of OSM services by CBSE. Although the government has not yet released detailed terms of reference, the panel is expected to review the tendering process, vendor selection procedures and compliance with procurement norms.

The inquiry comes at a time when the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education is also examining concerns related to the implementation of the OSM system and broader issues linked to evaluation practices.