New Delhi: An interview shared by Rahul Gandhi has brought renewed attention to concerns surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) Online Scoring Management (OSM) system. In the conversation, 18-year-old student Sarthak Sidhant detailed alleged vulnerabilities, procurement concerns and implementation issues related to the digital evaluation platform used by CBSE.
The discussion comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the OSM system, which was introduced to modernise answer sheet evaluation and improve efficiency in the assessment process. Sarthak, who has become one of the most prominent student voices questioning the platform, outlined several concerns regarding its development and rollout.
Student highlights alleged security vulnerabilities
During the interview, Sarthak explained that his interest in the issue began after learning about vulnerabilities reportedly identified by ethical hacker Nisarg Adhikari. According to him, the revelations prompted questions about the security standards of a platform connected to the evaluation of lakhs of students across the country.
Sarthak argued that concerns over platform security warranted greater public attention, particularly because CBSE examinations play a significant role in determining academic outcomes for students. He alleged that vulnerabilities discovered in the system raised broader questions about data protection and platform preparedness.
The student claimed that certain weaknesses in the platform could potentially allow unauthorised access to answer sheet-related information. He described the system as poorly designed and questioned whether adequate safeguards had been implemented before nationwide deployment.
Questions raised over tender process
A major part of Sarthak’s criticism focused on the procurement process followed for the OSM platform. According to him, CBSE issued three separate tenders before finalising a vendor for the project.
He claimed that the first tender was issued in February, followed by a second in May and a third in August. Sarthak alleged that changes were made to eligibility conditions during the process, including the removal of provisions related to a bidder’s record of poor performance.
According to his assessment, such modifications raised concerns about transparency and fairness in vendor selection. He further alleged that the company selected for the project was awarded the contract only 74 days before the system was introduced on a large scale.
Sarthak argued that the timeline may not have provided sufficient opportunity for testing, training and technical preparation before implementation.
Concerns over training and technical readiness
The student also claimed that teachers faced challenges adapting to the new system due to limited preparation and training. According to him, technical issues, including crashes and system disruptions, affected the rollout phase.
He suggested that the transition from traditional evaluation methods to a digital platform required more extensive planning and support mechanisms for teachers responsible for assessing answer sheets.
The concerns raised in the interview reflect broader feedback that has emerged from sections of students and educators since the introduction of the OSM framework. Many stakeholders have sought greater clarity regarding technical preparedness, operational efficiency and system reliability.
Rahul Gandhi reacts to allegations
Responding to Sarthak’s observations, Rahul Gandhi questioned how vulnerabilities could be identified by an individual researcher if the platform was designed for use by millions of students and teachers.
The Congress leader suggested that the allegations warranted serious examination and emphasised the importance of ensuring secure and reliable systems in educational institutions. His remarks have further amplified public discussion surrounding the OSM platform and its implementation.
CBSE defends the OSM platform
CBSE has consistently maintained that the live evaluation system used for assessing Class 12 answer sheets was not compromised. The Board previously clarified that vulnerabilities identified by ethical hackers were found in a testing environment and not in the operational platform used for actual evaluation.
The Board acknowledged that certain concerns raised by student researchers were genuine and thanked the ethical hackers for responsibly disclosing the issues. CBSE stated that corrective measures were implemented after receiving the reports.
Officials have continued to defend the OSM framework, arguing that the system was introduced to improve transparency, reduce manual errors and streamline the evaluation process.
Government assures improvements
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has also addressed concerns regarding the OSM rollout. The minister stated that he takes responsibility for challenges faced during the transition and assured stakeholders that feedback from students and teachers is being considered.
The government has maintained that efforts are underway to improve the platform and address operational concerns raised during implementation.
Conclusion
The conversation between Rahul Gandhi and Sarthak Sidhant has intensified public debate over CBSE’s Online Scoring Management system. While CBSE maintains that the live evaluation platform remains secure and corrective actions have been taken where necessary, questions regarding procurement procedures, security preparedness and implementation continue to attract attention. As discussions persist, students, teachers and policymakers are likely to seek greater transparency regarding the system’s future development and oversight.