In a decisive move to restore credibility in India’s school examination system, the Centre has transferred CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta following the nationwide uproar over the On‑Screen Marking (OSM) portal fiasco.
The action, announced on Monday, is one of the most significant administrative shake‑ups in recent years, underscoring the government’s intent to enforce transparency and accountability.
The OSM platform, introduced to modernise evaluation by providing students access to scanned answer sheets, instead triggered widespread chaos. Students across the country reported blurred pages, missing sections, and delays in re‑evaluation services. The glitches not only undermined confidence in the system but also raised serious concerns about vendor selection, cybersecurity, and procedural lapses in awarding the OSM contract.
Singh, who oversaw examinations, academics, affiliations, and reforms, and Gupta, responsible for administration and finance, were relieved of their duties as part of corrective measures. To probe deeper, the government has constituted a one‑member inquiry committee led by senior bureaucrat S Radha Chauhan. The panel will investigate the procurement process, assess accountability, and recommend reforms to prevent recurrence.
Meanwhile, CBSE has attempted damage control by extending deadlines, issuing clarifications, and assuring students that genuine grievances will be addressed through prescribed mechanisms. However, the transfers signal that the government is unwilling to let the controversy fade without structural changes.
Education experts view the move as a watershed moment, highlighting the urgent need for robust digital infrastructure in India’s examination system.
For millions of students, the fiasco has been a reminder that technology must serve as a bridge to fairness, not a barrier to justice.
