The controversy surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has escalated further with new allegations of cybersecurity lapses. Ethical hackers and independent developers have claimed that sensitive student data, scanned answer sheets, and question papers were exposed online due to vulnerabilities in the board's On Screen Marking (OSM) system. The revelations have intensified scrutiny of the digital evaluation infrastructure, with cyber activists warning that the flaws could potentially put millions of students at risk.
Allegations of Data Exposure
According to reports, the alleged security gaps allowed unauthorized access to cloud storage containing critical academic records. The exposed data includes personal details of students, scanned copies of answer sheets, and examination question papers. Activists argue that such breaches could have far-reaching consequences, including identity theft, manipulation of academic records, and unfair advantages in admissions or scholarship processes.
CBSE's Response and Measures Taken
In response to the allegations, CBSE has stated that the identified vulnerabilities have been contained. The board has deployed cybersecurity experts from government agencies and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to strengthen the OSM system. However, concerns persist over the extent of the exposure and whether any data was misused before the vulnerabilities were patched.
NHRC Intervention Sought
The issue has now reached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), with activists urging the commission to intervene. They argue that the technical failures could jeopardize students' educational rights, affecting admissions, scholarships, and other academic opportunities. The NHRC is yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.
The CBSE OSM system was introduced to streamline the evaluation process for board examinations. However, this is not the first time the system has faced criticism. Previous instances of technical glitches and alleged data leaks have raised questions about the robustness of the digital infrastructure. As the investigation continues, stakeholders are calling for greater transparency and accountability to prevent future breaches.
