CBSE OSM Row: Firm Got Contract 66 Days Before Nationwide Rollout, Officials Explain Selection Process
The company at the centre of CBSE’s On-Screen Marking controversy was awarded the digital evaluation contract just 66 days before the system was rolled out nationwide. CBSE officials said the vendor was selected as the lowest qualifying bidder after two earlier tender attempts failed to finalise a successful company.
CBSE OSM Contract Timeline Raises Questions
CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system has come under fresh scrutiny after officials confirmed that the digital evaluation contract was awarded to Hyderabad-based Coempt Edu Teck on December 5, 2025. The board later announced the full-fledged rollout of the OSM system on February 9, 2026.
The 66-day gap between contract award and national rollout has drawn attention because students and parents have raised concerns over answer-sheet mismatches and scanning errors. CBSE officials, however, maintained that the vendor was selected through the required procurement process.
Two Tender Rounds Failed Before Final Selection
According to officials, CBSE could not finalise a vendor in the first two tender rounds. The board later modified technical requirements in the Request for Proposal issued in August 2025.
In the first tender, technical expertise carried 70% weightage while financial capability carried 30%. Officials said Tata Consultancy Services was reportedly the only company that qualified in that round. Since a single bid could not be accepted as per rules, the tender was cancelled. The second round also did not produce a successful bidder.
Why Coempt Edu Teck Was Chosen
Officials said both Coempt Edu Teck and TCS qualified technically in the final round. They added that both companies held CMMI Level 5 certification at the time of contract award, which is considered the highest level of process maturity certification.
The final decision came down to financial bids. Officials said Coempt quoted ₹24.75 including taxes per answer sheet, while TCS quoted around ₹65 including taxes. Since procurement rules required selection of the lowest qualifying bidder, Coempt was awarded the contract.
| Bidder | Technical Status | Quoted Price Per Answer Sheet | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coempt Edu Teck | Technically qualified | ₹24.75 including taxes | Selected as lowest qualifying bidder |
| Tata Consultancy Services | Technically qualified | Around ₹65 including taxes | Not selected due to higher financial bid |
CBSE Acknowledges Answer-Sheet Mix-Ups
Amid concerns raised by students and parents, CBSE officials acknowledged that around 20 cases of answer-sheet mismatches had been identified during the evaluation process.
Officials said the board is examining how the mismatches happened and is working to make the system “absolutely glitch-free”. They also pointed out that nearly 9.8 million answer books were processed under the evaluation exercise.
CBSE OSM Issue: Key Facts
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| System In Question | On-Screen Marking digital evaluation system |
| Vendor Selected | Coempt Edu Teck, based in Hyderabad |
| Contract Award Date | December 5, 2025 |
| Rollout Announcement | February 9, 2026 |
| Gap Between Contract And Rollout | 66 days |
| Answer Books Processed | Nearly 9.8 million |
| Mismatch Cases Identified | Around 20 cases, according to officials |
| Future Transparency Plan | Scanned answer scripts may be shared through DigiLocker from next year |
Penalties For Scanning Errors Under Contract
Officials said penalties against the vendor will be determined after the verification process is completed. The contract reportedly includes specific penalty amounts for different types of scanning errors.
| Error Type | Penalty Mentioned | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Wrongly scanned or mismatched answer book | ₹4,000 per copy | When the scanned copy does not match the correct candidate or answer book |
| Partially scanned answer book | ₹8,000 per copy | When only part of an answer book is scanned or available |
| Completely unscanned answer book | ₹15,000 per copy | When an answer book is not scanned at all |
Board Defends Vendor Selection Amid Criticism
CBSE officials defended the selection of Coempt Edu Teck amid political criticism and questions over the company’s earlier work in Telangana. Officials said the firm’s past post-examination management work had been examined by courts.
Referring to the Telangana-related controversy, officials said the High Court had found no wrongdoing by the company and that a Special Leave Petition later filed in the Supreme Court was dismissed.
CMMI Level 5
Officials said both final bidders had the highest level of process maturity certification.
Lowest Bidder
Coempt was selected after quoting the lowest rate among technically qualified bidders.
State Projects
Officials said the firm has handled digital evaluation and post-exam work in several states.
States Where Coempt Has Worked
Officials said Coempt Edu Teck has handled digital evaluation and post-examination management work in multiple states. The board cited this experience while defending the vendor’s role in the evaluation process.
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Tamil Nadu
- Gujarat
- Post-exam management work
- Digital evaluation support
- Scanning-related services
- Evaluation process handling
Scanned Answer Scripts May Be Shared Through DigiLocker
In a move aimed at improving transparency, CBSE officials said the board plans to make scanned copies of students’ answer scripts available through DigiLocker from next year.
If implemented smoothly, this could make it easier for students to access evaluated answer scripts digitally and reduce confusion during the post-result verification process.
What Students And Parents Should Know
The OSM controversy has created concern among students, especially those who found mismatches or unexpected issues in scanned copies. Students should follow the official CBSE process for verification, scanned copy access and re-evaluation wherever applicable.
| Concern | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Scanned copy mismatch | Report through official CBSE grievance or verification process |
| Marks lower than expected | Use official verification and re-evaluation options |
| Missing or unclear scanned page | Preserve downloaded copy and raise issue through official channel |
| Social media claims | Verify information only through CBSE official notices and portals |
FAQs On CBSE OSM Contract Row
What is the CBSE OSM row about?
The controversy relates to CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system, answer-sheet mismatch concerns and questions about the vendor selection timeline.
Which company received the CBSE OSM contract?
CBSE awarded the OSM contract to Hyderabad-based Coempt Edu Teck.
When was the contract awarded?
The contract was awarded on December 5, 2025.
When did CBSE announce the full OSM rollout?
CBSE announced the full-fledged rollout of On-Screen Marking on February 9, 2026.
Why was Coempt Edu Teck selected?
Officials said Coempt was selected because it was the lowest qualifying bidder after meeting technical requirements.
How many mismatch cases did CBSE acknowledge?
Officials acknowledged around 20 answer-sheet mismatch cases during the evaluation process.
Will CBSE provide scanned answer scripts through DigiLocker?
Officials said CBSE plans to make scanned copies of students’ answer scripts available through DigiLocker from next year.
