The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to continue its association with Hyderabad-based Coempt Edutek Private Limited for the re-evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets, despite facing criticism over the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system used in the process. According to sources cited by news agency ANI, CBSE has taken steps to enhance data security by transferring all relevant data from Coempt's servers to its own servers.
Continued Use of OSM Platform
Coempt Edutek will persist in scanning answer sheets for re-evaluation, and its OSM platform will remain in use. Sources informed ANI that measures have been implemented to secure the portal against potential data breaches and cyber attacks. The transfer of all answer-sheet data and records from Coempt's servers to CBSE servers is aimed at providing greater control and security.
Controversy Over Handwriting Mismatch
The board has been embroiled in controversy after some Class 12 students alleged that the scanned copies of their answer sheets uploaded by CBSE did not match their handwriting. This raised concerns about possible mismatches in the OSM system, prompting questions about the accuracy and reliability of the digital evaluation process.
Scrutiny of Tender Process
The OSM project has also come under scrutiny following procurement records indicating that Coempt Edutek narrowly surpassed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in the technical evaluation. Coempt then secured a decisive lead with a substantially lower financial bid. The evaluation process has prompted questions among procurement observers regarding whether the tender criteria favored firms with specialized examination-scanning experience over companies with broader technology and systems integration capabilities.
Scope of the Contract
The contract encompasses the scanning and digital evaluation of nearly 9.9 lakh Class 12 answer books under CBSE's fully digitized evaluation system, which was introduced this year. This system aims to streamline the evaluation process and enhance efficiency.
As the situation develops, CBSE continues to address concerns related to the OSM system and data security, ensuring that the re-evaluation process proceeds smoothly for students.
