The controversy surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education's new On-Screen Marking system has escalated into a major political battle. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government over alleged irregularities in the evaluation of Class 12 board examinations.
Student Complaints Mount Over Technical Glitches
Students across the country have raised numerous complaints regarding the new digital evaluation system. Common issues include unexpectedly low marks, blurred scans of answer sheets, mismatched answer sheets, and various technical glitches linked to the OSM platform. The widespread dissatisfaction has fueled public anger and drawn political attention.
Reports Suggest Ignored Internal Warnings
The controversy deepened further after media reports claimed that the CBSE may have ignored internal calls for pilot trials before implementing the OSM system nationwide. Sources suggest that experts within the board had recommended a phased rollout to identify and resolve potential issues, but these warnings were allegedly overlooked in favor of a rapid deployment.
Rahul Gandhi Demands Probe
Rahul Gandhi has now demanded a judicial probe and a Special Investigation Team inquiry into the matter. In a statement, he accused the government of compromising the future of lakhs of students for the sake of technological grandstanding. He called for immediate action to ensure transparency and fairness in the evaluation process.
CBSE Defends OSM System
In response, the CBSE has continued to defend the On-Screen Marking system, describing it as secure, efficient, and globally accepted. Board officials maintain that the system has been thoroughly tested and that most complaints are due to user unfamiliarity rather than systemic flaws. They have urged students and parents to report specific issues for resolution.
The political row shows no signs of abating, with opposition parties rallying behind affected students. The government faces growing pressure to address the grievances and restore confidence in the board examination process.
