The Centre has transferred the Chairman and Secretary of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and ordered an inquiry into the procurement of On-Screen Marking (OSM) services. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the board’s evaluation process and questions about how the contract for the digital marking system was awarded.
OSM is a technology-based system used to evaluate answer sheets on screen instead of by hand. It was introduced to make assessment faster, more efficient, and more transparent. However, the system has now come under criticism after reports of irregularities and complaints related to evaluation and post-result processes.
According to reports, the Cabinet Secretariat has set up a one-member committee to examine the procurement of OSM services. The committee will review the tendering process, vendor selection, and whether proper procedures were followed. It is expected to submit its findings within a month.
The transfer of the top CBSE officials has added weight to the investigation. The action signals that the government is treating the matter seriously, especially as concerns continue to grow over the use of technology in school examinations and result processing.
The Ministry of Education had already sought a detailed report from CBSE on the tender process linked to the OSM contract. Officials are now looking into whether the procurement followed rules and whether all required clearances were obtained before the services were awarded.
The issue also reached Parliament. Earlier in the day, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, summoned senior officials from both the board and the ministry. The committee is examining concerns connected to the evaluation system and the broader functioning of the OSM rollout.
The controversy has raised fresh questions about the reliability of digital evaluation systems in school education. While such systems are meant to improve efficiency, any failure in procurement or execution can affect trust in the examination process. That is why the inquiry is expected to focus not only on the contract itself but also on the larger chain of decisions behind it.
CBSE plays a central role in India’s school examination system, and any disruption in its processes draws immediate attention from students, parents, teachers, and policymakers. The current probe is likely to remain under close watch as it may shape how future education technology projects are handled.
For now, the government’s action suggests that it wants to examine both the administrative and procedural sides of the matter before drawing conclusions. The findings of the committee may determine whether the controversy is limited to procurement concerns or points to deeper issues in the board’s operations.
