The Indian government has ordered a full report on the tender process for the Central Board of Secondary Education's digital marking system.
The move follows widespread student complaints that marks did not reflect their actual performance. Because the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system is used for millions of students, any systemic failure in its procurement or implementation threatens the credibility of national board certifications.
The controversy intensified after Class 12 results were announced on 13 May 2026 [1]. According to official data, 85.20% of 17.69 lakh students qualified in those exams [1]. However, students raised concerns over irregularities in how the OSM system evaluated their work.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said officials could face disciplinary action if the tender process was found to be flawed. "We have asked CBSE to submit a detailed report on the tender process for the OSM system," Pradhan said [2]. The government's formal request for this report was made on 17 May 2026 [2].
CBSE officials have defended the technology. A CBSE spokesperson said the OSM system was implemented following due process, and that the board is confident of its accuracy [3]. Despite these assurances, the board has faced pressure to explain the discrepancy between student expectations and the final scores.
The political fallout has extended beyond the education ministry. Rahul Gandhi said the Modi government must apologize for the CBSE marks row and the NEET leak [4]. While some reports link the two controversies, other sources indicate the OSM dispute is centered specifically on the board's digital evaluation and procurement process [3].
The government's probe will focus on whether the vendor selected for the OSM system met all technical requirements and if the bidding process was transparent. This investigation comes as the board attempts to transition away from traditional paper-based marking to increase efficiency.
“"We have asked CBSE to submit a detailed report on the tender process for the OSM system."”
The government's decision to scrutinize the tender process suggests that the controversy is no longer just about grading errors, but about potential administrative corruption or negligence in procurement. By linking the technical failure of the On-Screen Marking system to the legalities of the contract, the administration is shifting the accountability from the software to the officials who approved its purchase.
