Seventeen-year-old student and CBSE whistleblower Sarthak Sidhant has emerged as one of the most talked-about voices on social media after his appearance before a Parliamentary Standing Committee over alleged irregularities in the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
What began as a student-led investigation into CBSE’s evaluation process has now evolved into a national conversation about transparency, accountability and examination reforms.
From Student Researcher to National Spotlight
Sarthak Sidhant grabbed headlines after publishing a detailed analysis of CBSE’s OSM tender process on his website. In the report, he alleged that eligibility and technical conditions in successive tenders were modified in ways that appeared to benefit Hyderabad-based Coempt EduTeck, the company that eventually secured the contract.
The allegations surfaced amid growing concerns from students regarding answer sheet mismatches and evaluation discrepancies in the CBSE Class 12 examinations.
On Tuesday, Sidhant presented his findings before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, which is examining concerns related to the OSM system and the procurement process behind it.
Viral X Posts Turn Sarthak Into Internet’s New Favourite
While his investigation attracted attention from lawmakers and education experts, Sarthak’s witty responses on X (formerly Twitter) have made him a social media star.
His sharp one-liners and humorous replies have gone viral, earning praise from users who admire his confidence and composure amid the controversy.
In one widely shared post, Sarthak defended investigative journalism and praised reporters who independently pursued the story, saying they were doing “actual investigative journalism.”
When questioned about reports that he had demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Sarthak humorously responded by asking users to stop sharing an old photograph of him and use better pictures instead.
His blend of humour, confidence and detailed research has helped him gain significant online support.
Parliament Reviews CBSE Evaluation System
According to information presented before the parliamentary panel, CBSE reportedly floated three separate tenders for the OSM system during 2025 before awarding the contract to Coempt EduTeck.
Sidhant alleged that multiple conditions were altered across the tendering process. However, both CBSE and Coempt EduTeck have denied any wrongdoing and maintained that all procedures followed established procurement rules.
The parliamentary committee is reviewing the allegations as part of a broader examination of CBSE’s digital evaluation infrastructure.
Student Voices Driving Education Reform Debate
Sarthak is not the only student drawing attention to examination-related concerns this year.
Students including Vedant Shrivastava, who highlighted answer-sheet discrepancies, and cybersecurity researcher Nisarga Adhikary, who flagged alleged vulnerabilities in examination-related digital systems, have also become prominent voices in ongoing discussions about education technology and examination governance.
Their interventions have intensified public scrutiny of examination systems and prompted calls for stronger transparency measures.
Political Attention on Growing Education Controversy
The issue has also attracted political attention. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently met Sarthak Sidhant and publicly praised his efforts, encouraging him to remain committed to his principles.
The meeting further amplified public interest in the controversy, which continues to dominate discussions across education circles and social media platforms.
What Happens Next?
With a parliamentary review underway and multiple student complaints being examined, the CBSE OSM controversy remains under the spotlight.
As authorities continue investigating the allegations, Sarthak Sidhant’s journey from a student researcher to a nationally recognised whistleblower highlights the growing role of young citizens in shaping public accountability and education reform debates in India.
