CBSE OSM row: Education Ministry seeks report, reviews Coempt contract
The Ministry of Education's move follows allegations of irregularities in the selection process, with officials examining whether procurement norms, eligibility criteria and procedural requirements were properly followed.
The Ministry of Education has sought a detailed report on the awarding of a contract to COEMPT Edutech for the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) digital answer-sheet evaluation system, amid allegations of irregularities in the tender process, sources said on Monday.
According to sources, the ministry has collected details related to the tendering process and has begun examining records linked to the contract awarded for the board's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system used in Class 12 board examinations.
The move follows growing scrutiny and protests over the selection process, technical eligibility criteria and alleged procedural lapses in the awarding of the contract to the private firm.
Sources said the ministry has asked officials concerned to furnish complete records related to the tender, including eligibility conditions, bid evaluations, technical approvals and other clearances granted during the procurement process.
Questions have been raised over alleged changes in tender conditions that reportedly enabled the company to qualify for the project, as well as concerns regarding its technical preparedness to handle a nationwide evaluation exercise involving lakhs of students.
According to sources, the ministry is examining whether procurement norms and financial rules were fully adhered to while awarding the contract. Officials are also reviewing whether all procedural requirements were followed during the selection process.
If any lapses or irregularities are found, accountability will be fixed and action could be recommended against those responsible, sources said.
"Strict action will be recommended against officials found responsible if any wrongdoing or negligence is established," a source familiar with the matter said.
CBSE, however, has denied allegations of irregularities and maintained that the contract was awarded through a transparent process in accordance with government procurement norms. The board has also rejected claims that the security of the evaluation portal was compromised.
The ministry's intervention is being viewed as a significant development in the controversy, indicating that the government is taking the allegations seriously amid increasing public and political scrutiny.
Sources said the review could eventually result in administrative action, changes to future tender procedures and a broader examination of digital evaluation systems used in national-level examinations.
The Ministry of Education has sought a detailed report on the awarding of a contract to COEMPT Edutech for the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) digital answer-sheet evaluation system, amid allegations of irregularities in the tender process, sources said on Monday.
According to sources, the ministry has collected details related to the tendering process and has begun examining records linked to the contract awarded for the board's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system used in Class 12 board examinations.
The move follows growing scrutiny and protests over the selection process, technical eligibility criteria and alleged procedural lapses in the awarding of the contract to the private firm.
Sources said the ministry has asked officials concerned to furnish complete records related to the tender, including eligibility conditions, bid evaluations, technical approvals and other clearances granted during the procurement process.
Questions have been raised over alleged changes in tender conditions that reportedly enabled the company to qualify for the project, as well as concerns regarding its technical preparedness to handle a nationwide evaluation exercise involving lakhs of students.
According to sources, the ministry is examining whether procurement norms and financial rules were fully adhered to while awarding the contract. Officials are also reviewing whether all procedural requirements were followed during the selection process.
If any lapses or irregularities are found, accountability will be fixed and action could be recommended against those responsible, sources said.
"Strict action will be recommended against officials found responsible if any wrongdoing or negligence is established," a source familiar with the matter said.
CBSE, however, has denied allegations of irregularities and maintained that the contract was awarded through a transparent process in accordance with government procurement norms. The board has also rejected claims that the security of the evaluation portal was compromised.
The ministry's intervention is being viewed as a significant development in the controversy, indicating that the government is taking the allegations seriously amid increasing public and political scrutiny.
Sources said the review could eventually result in administrative action, changes to future tender procedures and a broader examination of digital evaluation systems used in national-level examinations.
