The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will persist in utilizing Hyderabad-based COEMPT Eduteck Pvt Ltd for scanning answer sheets during the re-evaluation process, as per sources from ANI. The company's On-Screen Marking (OSM) platform will remain in use for this purpose. Sources further indicated that steps have been implemented to safeguard the portal against data breaches and potential cyber threats. Additionally, CBSE has relocated all answer-sheet data and records from COEMPT's servers to its own servers to enhance control and security.
Background of the Controversy
This development occurs amid ongoing questions regarding CBSE's OSM system and the procedure through which the contract was awarded. The controversy gained traction after a blog authored by 17-year-old Jharkhand student Sarthak Sidhant attracted attention online. In his blog, Sidhant scrutinized CBSE tender documents pertaining to the OSM contract and asserted that modifications to the tender conditions across several rounds may have favored COEMPT Eduteck.
Student's Allegations
Sarthak compared various iterations of the tender documents and argued that numerous eligibility and evaluation criteria were altered prior to the contract being awarded. He stated that he began examining the documents after students voiced concerns about the OSM system's implementation and subsequently urged CBSE to clarify the changes.
Political Involvement
The issue soon escalated into the political domain, with several opposition figures sharing the blog on social media platforms. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the findings raised significant questions about the tendering process and called for an independent judicial inquiry.
Parliamentary Committee Hearing
On Tuesday, Sarthak presented his findings before the Parliamentary Committee for Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, which is chaired by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh.
Past Scrutiny of COEMPT
The company at the center of this controversy has faced previous scrutiny. In 2019, COEMPT Eduteck, previously 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 favor, with no wrongdoing established against it.
