Rahul Gandhi lauds 18-year-old Sarthak for 'exposing' CBSE-OSM discrepancies (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday praised 18-year-old student Sarthak Sidhant and his partner Nisarga for exposing alleged discrepancies in the CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, calling it a “victory of youth” and a setback for the government.
The remarks came amid growing scrutiny over the evaluation process used in CBSE Class 12 examinations.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said the students had uncovered issues that major media organisations and investigative agencies allegedly failed to identify.
सार्थक 18 साल का है - पर सोच, साहस और सिद्धांत में किसी से कम नहीं।
उसने और उसके साथी निसर्ग ने वो कर दिखाया जो देश के बड़े मीडिया हाउस, खोजी पत्रकार नहीं कर पाए - CBSE और COEMPT की मिलीभगत को देश के सामने रख दिया।
मोदी जी चाहते हैं हमारे युवा reels बनाते रहें, पकौड़े तलते… pic.twitter.com/vjNNVItc2q
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 7, 2026
He claimed the government discourages young people from questioning systems, but said Sarthak and Nisarga challenged that narrative by raising concerns over the examination process.
Calling it an example of “real youth power,” Gandhi said informed and aware students represent the future of the country.
The issue gained further attention after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, chaired by Digvijaya Singh, heard Sarthak’s presentation regarding alleged discrepancies in the OSM system.
During the meeting, officials from Central Board of Secondary Education responded to concerns related to re-evaluation and digital assessment processes. The board reportedly assured the committee that technical issues with the re-evaluation portal had been addressed.
CBSE OSM Row: 2 IAS officers; Chairman Rahul Singh, Secretary Himanshu Gupta shunted out
Following the meeting, the Centre constituted a one-member inquiry committee headed by S Radha Chauhan, Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, to examine procurement and operational issues linked to the OSM system. The panel has been asked to submit its findings within a month.
Amid the controversy, CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta were transferred, while cyber agencies including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre were tasked with monitoring the re-evaluation portal for suspicious activity.
Opposition leaders have since intensified criticism of the government’s handling of examination-related issues, including NEET and CBSE reforms.
