In a decisive move to restore credibility to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Centre has appointed senior IAS officer Lokhande Prashant Sitaram as the new Chairperson.
Sitaram replaces Rahul Singh, who was shunted out following mounting criticism over the controversial On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Alongside, Varun Bhardwaj has been named Secretary, succeeding Himanshu Gupta.
The reshuffle comes in the wake of widespread complaints from students, teachers, and evaluators about irregularities in the OSM system. Technical glitches, delays in verification, and allegations of mismanagement had sparked outrage, prompting the government to order an official inquiry into the procurement and functioning of the OSM services.
Opposition leaders seized on the crisis, accusing the government of attempting a “cover-up” rather than ensuring accountability.
Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the move, arguing that leadership changes alone cannot address systemic flaws in CBSE’s evaluation process. They demanded transparency and responsibility from those involved in the OSM rollout.
For students and parents, the controversy has added to the stress of board examinations, raising questions about fairness and reliability.
Education experts suggest that the new leadership must prioritise restoring trust, strengthening digital infrastructure, and ensuring that reforms are implemented with accountability.
The CBSE, which oversees examinations for millions of students nationwide, now faces the dual challenge of repairing its image and modernising its systems.
With Lokhande Prashant Sitaram at the helm, stakeholders hope for a fresh start that balances innovation with reliability.
