Student presents alleged discrepancies in CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system as Parliamentary committee reviews exam reforms and accountability measures.
June 2, 2026: A 17-year-old student, Sarthak Sidhant, appeared before a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tuesday to present allegations of irregularities in the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. The committee, which is reviewing the implementation of OSM in Class 12 examinations, heard Sidhant’s findings regarding the tendering process and operational concerns linked to the evaluation system. The student claimed that changes in tender conditions may have favored a particular vendor and highlighted what he described as multiple discrepancies in procurement documents. CBSE and the company involved have denied any wrongdoing and maintained that all procedures were followed as per established norms.
The hearing has drawn attention because it comes amid ongoing debates over examination reforms following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 due to a paper leak. The Parliamentary panel had earlier raised concerns about the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and recommended stronger safeguards for national examinations. While the committee does not have punitive powers, its findings require official responses through Action Taken Reports and can seek explanations from government agencies and officials.
The discussion has also revived focus on recommendations made by the government-appointed Radhakrishnan Committee, which was formed after the 2024 NEET controversy. Both the Parliamentary panel and the expert committee have advocated stronger in-house examination management and reduced dependence on private vendors. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has sought explanations on how examination security lapses continued despite previous reforms. The latest testimony adds another layer to the broader national debate on transparency, accountability, and reliability in India’s examination system.