NEW DELHI: Heads are likely to roll in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as the education ministry has initiated an internal crackdown over alleged irregularities in a controversial tender process for the board’s digital evaluation ecosystem which was found to have vulnerabilities.Explanations provided by the CBSE, so far, on the tender issue have not been found to be satisfactory, and accountability is now likely to be fixed at multiple levels inside the education board, according to ministry sources. “Detailed reports have been sought on awarding the contract to Hyderabad-based Coempt Edu Tech as part of the procurement process linked to the board’s ‘On Screen Marking (OSM)’ system as well as on the security gaps flagged in the re-evaluation portal. The ministry is taking action against those accountable. Responsibility will be determined,” a senior official said. Sources indicated that the ministry believes the controversy goes beyond isolated technical failures and may point to lapses within the system.Also read| Paper exams leak-prone: Education ministry to Parliamentary panelThe OSM tender controversy escalated after allegations surfaced that eligibility norms and technical criteria were modified across multiple rounds of bidding before Coempt emerged as the successful bidder.Education ministry hires experts from IITs to plug loopholesThe issue further snowballed after students began reporting blurred answer sheets, missing pages, mismatched scanned copies and repeated glitches during the reevaluation process. Opposition leaders and analysts have asked whether procurement conditions were diluted to favour a particular company. The CBSE has denied allegations of wrongdoing and maintained that the contract was awarded strictly under General Financial Rules and established procurement norms.Also read | CBSE crisis deepens: Student data exposed, say cyber activistsBut the controversy has only deepened, with ethical hackers and cybersecurity researchers flagging vulnerabilities in systems linked to CBSE’s digital evaluation infrastructure. Ministry officials said the weaknesses became more serious because CBSE still lacks a comprehensive digital repository architecture for answer sheets and examination records.The ministry has now engaged experts from IITs to plug technological loopholes, audit the re-evaluation portal architecture and strengthen cybersecurity safeguards.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Apologise Immediately’: Nepal Opposition Rips Into PM Balen Shah Over India Border RemarkAfter Amit Shah Meeting, Annamalai Exit Speculation Grows As New Party Talk IntensifiesCBSE-Coempt Dispute Escalates Amid Conflict Of Interest Claims And Strong Denials’Even Hitler Did Not…’: Mamata Slams BJP Over ‘Police Raj’ In Bengal, Attack On Abhishek Banerjee’Cooker Only’ Audio Row Deepens Congress Rift As Zameer Denies Viral Recording Claims | WatchSanjay Singh Confronts Police Officials During Student Interaction Over Exam Paper LeaksMonkey Snatches ₹2 Lakh Bag In UP Court, Climbs Tree And Showers Currency Notes From AboveIndia-US Trade Deal Nears Finish Line, First Tranche May Be Signed Soon: Piyush GoyalTMC Expels Two MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee And Sandipan Saha, Amid Signature Mismatch RowRahul Gandhi flags ‘phone-scanned’ answer sheets as CBSE-OSM tender row deepens123PhotostoriesMorning affirmation at 5 am: The early-morning words that can reset your mindsetOut of the shadows: The Women who made Madhubani art globalTracing the Indian Art forms that conquered the worldCucumber (Kheera) vs Snake Cucumber (Kakdi): Which is more hydrating and how much to consume dailyKatrina Kaif’s post-pregnancy style era is here, and it starts with a killer black overcoatHollywood’s ugliest custody battles: From Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to Rob Kardashian and Blac ChynaIs Anushka Sharma’s white ensemble RCB’s new lucky charm? 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NEW DELHI: Heads are likely to roll in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as the education ministry has initiated an internal crackdown over alleged irregularities in a controversial tender process for the board’s digital evaluation ecosystem which was found to have vulnerabilities.Explanations provided by the CBSE, so far, on the tender issue have not been found to be satisfactory, and accountability is now likely to be fixed at multiple levels inside the education board, according to ministry sources.
“Detailed reports have been sought on awarding the contract to Hyderabad-based Coempt Edu Tech as part of the procurement process linked to the board’s ‘On Screen Marking (OSM)’ system as well as on the security gaps flagged in the re-evaluation portal. The ministry is taking action against those accountable. Responsibility will be determined,” a senior official said. Sources indicated that the ministry believes the controversy goes beyond isolated technical failures and may point to lapses within the system.Also read| Paper exams leak-prone: Education ministry to Parliamentary panelThe OSM tender controversy escalated after allegations surfaced that eligibility norms and technical criteria were modified across multiple rounds of bidding before Coempt emerged as the successful bidder.Education ministry hires experts from IITs to plug loopholesThe issue further snowballed after students began reporting blurred answer sheets, missing pages, mismatched scanned copies and repeated glitches during the reevaluation process. Opposition leaders and analysts have asked whether procurement conditions were diluted to favour a particular company. The CBSE has denied allegations of wrongdoing and maintained that the contract was awarded strictly under General Financial Rules and established procurement norms.Also read | CBSE crisis deepens: Student data exposed, say cyber activistsBut the controversy has only deepened, with ethical hackers and cybersecurity researchers flagging vulnerabilities in systems linked to CBSE’s digital evaluation infrastructure. Ministry officials said the weaknesses became more serious because CBSE still lacks a comprehensive digital repository architecture for answer sheets and examination records.The ministry has now engaged experts from IITs to plug technological loopholes, audit the re-evaluation portal architecture and strengthen cybersecurity safeguards.
