Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has publicly taken responsibility for the controversy surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) new On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, assuring students and parents that all discrepancies will be addressed and corrective measures are already underway.
The statement comes amid growing concerns from students, parents, and teachers over alleged errors in the evaluation of Class 12 board examination answer sheets following the introduction of the digital marking system.
Minister Breaks Silence On Evaluation Discrepancies
Addressing the controversy, Pradhan acknowledged the problems and said the government would ensure that no student suffers due to technical or procedural errors.
According to reports, the minister stated that he takes responsibility for the discrepancies and assured that a solution would be found. He also emphasized that strict action would be taken if any irregularities or deliberate wrongdoing are discovered during the review process.
The remarks mark the first direct acknowledgment from the government regarding the issues surrounding the OSM rollout.
What Is The OSM System?
The On-Screen Marking (OSM) system was introduced by CBSE to digitize the evaluation process and improve transparency, accuracy, and accountability in board examinations. Under the system, answer sheets are scanned and evaluated digitally instead of being physically checked by examiners.
Government officials have defended the initiative as a major technological upgrade. Reports indicate that nearly 40 crore answer-sheet pages were scanned and approximately 98 lakh answer books were evaluated through the system.
However, the transition has reportedly faced technical glitches and evaluation concerns, leading to complaints from students across the country.
Corrective Measures Underway
Following the controversy, the Education Ministry held review meetings involving CBSE officials and technical experts. The government has assured that revaluation and verification mechanisms are being strengthened to ensure fairness for affected students.
Pradhan stated that student welfare remains the government’s top priority and that all genuine grievances will be examined. He also appealed against politicising the issue, arguing that prolonged controversy could increase anxiety among students awaiting resolution.
Political Debate Intensifies
The OSM controversy has also triggered political reactions. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi questioned the awarding of the OSM contract and demanded greater transparency regarding the company selected for the project.
The issue has since evolved beyond an examination dispute into a broader debate on accountability, digital governance, and public-sector contracting in education.
What Happens Next?
CBSE and the Education Ministry are expected to continue reviewing complaints and implementing corrections where necessary. The government maintains that the digital evaluation system remains a long-term reform aimed at improving examination transparency, while acknowledging that the current rollout requires fixes and refinements.
Summary
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has accepted responsibility for discrepancies linked to CBSE’s new On-Screen Marking (OSM) system and promised corrective action. The controversy erupted after students reported evaluation-related issues in Class 12 board results. While defending OSM as a progressive digital reform, the government has assured revaluation, investigation of irregularities, and measures to ensure that no student is unfairly affected.
