Centre Removes CBSE Chairman and Secretary Amid OSM Controversy, Orders High-Level Probe

Ranchi/New Delhi: In one of the most significant administrative actions in the history of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Central Government has transferred CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta with immediate effect amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the board's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. The move comes as the government intensifies scrutiny of alleged irregularities in the procurement and implementation of the digital evaluation platform.

According to reports, the Centre has also constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the procurement of OSM services. The panel will examine complaints related to the tendering process as well as concerns raised over the functioning of the digital evaluation system.

The controversy escalated after students reported issues such as answer-sheet mismatches, blurred scans, missing pages, evaluation discrepancies, and technical glitches in the newly introduced OSM system used for Class 12 examinations. These complaints triggered widespread concerns about transparency and fairness in the assessment process.

The action follows growing criticism from students, parents, and various stakeholders, with some students alleging serious irregularities during the re-evaluation process. The government's decision to transfer the board's top officials is being viewed as a strong signal that accountability will be enforced in matters affecting students' academic futures.

Meanwhile, CBSE has launched its online re-evaluation portal for students seeking verification of issues in scanned answer sheets and re-evaluation of their papers. The facility is available only to students who have already received scanned copies of their answer books. The portal opened on June 2 and will remain accessible until midnight on June 6. Applications must be submitted online through the official CBSE website using Aadhaar-based authentication, and no offline applications will be accepted.

The inquiry committee is expected to submit its findings after a detailed examination of the procurement process and operational issues linked to the OSM system.