Teen Exposes Irregularities in CBSE Tender Process, Meets Rahul Gandhi

A 17-year-old student from Jharkhand, Sarthak Sidhant, has raised red flags regarding alleged irregularities in the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) tendering process for the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Sidhant, who recently completed his Class 12 examinations, presented his findings before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports on June 2, 2026.

The committee meeting, chaired by Congress Member of Parliament Digvijaya Singh, aimed to address issues surrounding the OSM system used in CBSE’s Grade 12 exams. According to sources, Sidhant submitted a detailed seven-page document outlining potential anomalies in the CBSE's tendering process for selecting vendors responsible for online marking.

Following his presentation, which took place in front of CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Sidhant posed several questions to the board. Reports indicate that Singh was transferred hours after the meeting took place.

In response to Sidhant's concerns, the CBSE submitted a report to the committee detailing challenges encountered in implementing the OSM process. Officials from the board assured committee members that issues related to the online portal had been resolved. Additionally, students have until June 6 to submit applications for the re-evaluation of answer sheets.

Sidhant's meeting with prominent politicians, including Rahul Gandhi, highlights the increasing involvement of young individuals in addressing significant educational reforms. Sidhant’s efforts have sparked discussions on the transparency and efficacy of the CBSE's operational processes and their impact on students.

The shift towards digital marking systems like OSM has been intended to streamline the evaluation process, but concerns remain about its implementation. Critics argue that any irregularities could affect a vast number of students relying on these marks for their academic futures.

This incident comes amid a broader scrutiny of educational organisations in India, emphasising the importance of accountability and transparency within the educational framework. The role of young advocates like Sidhant is crucial in ensuring that educational institutions uphold their responsibilities to students and parents alike.