CBSE to keep Coempt Eduteck in charge of answer sheet scanning despite Class 12 OSM row, report says
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will continue using Hyderabad-based COEMPT Eduteck Pvt Ltd for scanning answer sheets during the re-evaluation process, according to ANI sources.The company’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) platform will continue to be used for scanning answer sheets. Sources added that measures have been taken to protect the portal from data breaches and possible cyber attacks, and that CBSE has transferred all answer-sheet data and records from COEMPT’s servers to CBSE servers to ensure greater control and security.The development comes as questions continue to be raised over CBSE’s OSM system and the process through which the contract was awarded.The controversy began after a blog written by 17-year-old Jharkhand student Sarthak Sidhant gained attention online. In the blog, Sidhant examined CBSE tender documents related to the OSM contract and alleged that changes made to the tender conditions over several rounds may have benefited COEMPT Eduteck.The student compared different versions of the tender documents and argued that several eligibility and evaluation criteria were modified before the contract was awarded. He said he started studying the documents after students raised concerns about the implementation of the OSM system and later called on CBSE to explain the changes.The issue soon entered the political arena, with several opposition leaders sharing the blog on social media. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the findings raised serious questions about the tendering process and called for an independent judicial inquiry.On Tuesday, Sarthak presented his findings before the Parliamentary Committee for Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh. The company at the centre of the controversy had also faced scrutiny in the past. In 2019, COEMPT Eduteck, then known as Globarena Technologies, was linked to the Telangana Intermediate Board examination controversy. The matter reached both the Telangana High Court and the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea, and the High Court ruled in the company’s favour, with no wrongdoing proven against it.
