The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is facing growing criticism over its newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system after several students raised concerns about alleged answer sheet mismatches in the 2026 Class 12 board examinations.
The controversy has brought Hyderabad-based edtech company Coempt Edutech into the spotlight, as the firm was awarded the contract to manage the digital evaluation process for CBSE board exams.
What Triggered the CBSE OSM Controversy?
The issue gained national attention after a Delhi student, Vedant Shrivastava, claimed that the Physics answer sheet uploaded during the re-evaluation process did not match his handwriting.
The student shared screenshots on social media, comparing the disputed answer sheet with his English and Computer Science papers. His allegations quickly sparked debate among students, parents, education experts, and political leaders.
Several students also reported technical glitches and discrepancies related to the new digital evaluation system.
What Is the CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) System?
CBSE introduced the On-Screen Marking system in 2026 to modernize the board exam evaluation process.
Under the system:
- Answer sheets are digitally scanned
- Examiners evaluate scripts online
- Manual totaling errors are reduced
- Logistics and transportation costs are minimized
- Evaluation becomes faster and more transparent
According to CBSE, the OSM model improves efficiency and supports environmentally sustainable examination practices.
Why Is Coempt Edutech Under Focus?
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned why Coempt Edutech was selected for the project, alleging that the company was previously known as “Globarena” and had faced controversy in Telangana over similar examination-related issues.
He demanded an independent judicial inquiry and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter.
In a social media statement, Gandhi alleged that earlier OSM-related controversies in Telangana had caused distress among students and questioned whether proper background checks were conducted before awarding the contract.
CBSE Rejects Allegations
CBSE has strongly denied allegations of irregularities in awarding the contract to Coempt Edutech.
The board stated that the contract was awarded after following all procedures under the General Financial Rules (GFR) through the Central Public Procurement portal.
CBSE also clarified that the allegations against the company were “misleading” and “not based on facts.”
About Coempt Edutech
Coempt Edutech describes itself as an education technology company specializing in examination management and digital evaluation systems.
The company claims to provide:
- Online examination solutions
- Digital answer-book evaluation
- AI-based assessment tools
- Question paper management systems
- Post-examination analytics
Its website states that its services impact more than two million students annually.
The company’s leadership team includes academic experts, technology professionals, and former administrative officials.
Growing Concern Among Students and Parents
The controversy has intensified anxiety among students and families already under pressure due to board examination results.
Education experts say transparency and quick grievance redressal will be critical in restoring confidence in the digital evaluation process.
Meanwhile, students continue to demand clarity regarding alleged mismatches and technical issues associated with the OSM system.
Political Debate Intensifies
The issue has now evolved into a major political debate, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the government and education authorities.
While critics have called for a detailed investigation, CBSE maintains that the digital evaluation system was implemented to improve fairness, speed, and accuracy in the examination process.
As the controversy unfolds, students and parents across the country are closely watching for further clarification from the board and government authorities.
