CBSE OSM Controversy: Company Linked to Telangana Fiasco Raises Questions
The CBSE OSM controversies have reignited debates about the reliability of digital evaluation systems, particularly in light of a company's past failures during Telangana Intermediate exams. Questions over COEMPT's (formerly Globarena) involvement raise concerns about the integrity and future of these examinations.
Highlights
- •CBSE's new digital evaluation system faces scrutiny after linking to COEMPT, involved in 2019 Telangana Intermediate results scandal
- •Rahul Gandhi questions COEMPT's fitness for national exams despite past failures
- •Critics question if due diligence was properly conducted before awarding contract
- •Cybersecurity researcher alleges potential loopholes in OSM evaluation portal
Questions over the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)'s new digital evaluation system have deepened, with concerns surfacing that a company involved in the 2019 Telangana Intermediate results fiasco may still be entrusted with national exam responsibilities. The controversy intensified on Wednesday following Rahul Gandhi's allegations that 'the company COEMPT,' which previously operated as Globarena, was behind the 2019 scandal and thus unfit to handle a national examination process.
The issue erupted in the wake of reports about glitches in CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. These included answer-sheet mismatches, blurred scans, and technical issues, prompting complaints from students and evaluators. Meanwhile, cybersecurity researcher Nisarga Adhikary accused the portal of potential loopholes enabling unauthorized access to student marks.
History of Controversy
The controversy began in 2019 when Globarena Technologies, now known as Coempt Edu Teck, was linked to a major scandal in Telangana. Thousands of students complained about erratic results and missing scores, leading approximately three lakh applicants to seek reassessment. Allegations suggested that nearly 20 student suicides might have been connected to the aftermath.
Though no direct causation was conclusively proven, government inquiry findings highlighted a shared responsibility between both private entities and the state education board involved in the fiasco. Despite criminal proceedings, the company remained unblacklisted due to ongoing investigations in Telangana.
Absent from CBSE's official documentation is any confirmed announcement naming Coempt as the final vendor for OSM, though the firm has listed its credentials on its website. Parents and advocates alike are alarmed by these developments, fearing that an entity with a track record of failure might be entrusted with national level evaluations.
While CBSE vehemently denied these allegations, stating that due diligence was performed throughout the procurement process, the company's past history remains a source of ongoing debate. Key points of dispute include whether sufficient checks and balances were implemented to prevent similar issues in future examinations.
Current Issues
CBSE dismissed Gandhi's call for special investigations into Coempt Edutech, asserting that the contract was awarded through the General Financial Rules. Nevertheless, the company's direct or indirect involvement in OSM remains unclear. Critics have highlighted a hardcoded credential allegedly present in JavaScript code with 'Coempt' as a red flag.
The CBSE-OSEM controversy has sparked calls for greater transparency and accountability in digital evaluation systems. With national examinations approaching, concerns about the reliability of these tools could not be dismissed any longer. Parents like Venkat Sainath are demanding clarity on the matter: 'How can an agency that failed at a state level be trusted with responsibility at a national level?'
