New Delhi, June 3: In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Central Government has transferred two senior officials of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and ordered an inquiry into the procurement and implementation of the board’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. The move comes amid growing concerns over discrepancies reported during the evaluation of Class XII board examination answer scripts.

The government on Monday relieved CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta from their positions. Senior IAS officer Lokhande Prashant Sitaram has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the national education board. The decision follows weeks of criticism and complaints from students, parents, and education stakeholders regarding the functioning of the newly introduced digital evaluation platform.

To examine the matter, the Centre has constituted a one-member committee headed by former bureaucrat S. Radha Chauhan. The panel has been tasked with investigating the procurement process related to the OSM system and identifying any procedural lapses or irregularities. The committee has been directed to submit its report within one month.

The On-Screen Marking system was introduced by CBSE this year as part of efforts to modernize the evaluation process and improve efficiency in assessing answer sheets. Under the system, scanned copies of answer books are evaluated digitally by examiners. However, following the announcement of Class XII results, numerous students reported inconsistencies in marks, alleged evaluation errors, and technical difficulties in accessing verification and re-evaluation services.

Several complaints also questioned the transparency of the contract and procurement procedures adopted for implementing the digital platform. The controversy quickly gained attention from political organizations, student bodies, and legal institutions.

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress party, approached the Delhi High Court seeking an independent investigation into the evaluation process and requesting fresh verification of answer sheets. The matter has also been discussed by a Parliamentary Standing Committee, which reviewed concerns raised by students and experts regarding the functioning of the OSM system.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently acknowledged that certain discrepancies had emerged during the implementation of the digital marking process. He assured students that all genuine grievances would be addressed and corrective measures would be taken wherever necessary. The minister also emphasized that accountability would be fixed if any negligence or misconduct was discovered during the inquiry.

Meanwhile, CBSE has opened its verification and re-evaluation portal to allow students to seek review of their results. The board has stated that efforts are underway to resolve technical issues and ensure that students receive fair and accurate assessments.

Education experts believe the government’s decision reflects the seriousness with which it is treating concerns related to examination integrity and transparency. While digital evaluation systems are increasingly being adopted worldwide, they stress that robust safeguards and accountability mechanisms are essential to maintain public trust.

The outcome of the inquiry is expected to play a crucial role in determining the future of CBSE’s digital evaluation initiatives. The findings may also influence how similar technology-driven reforms are implemented in India's education sector in the coming years.

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