Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has come out in strong support and praise for 18-year-old Sarthak, a student who has been instrumental in uncovering the CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) controversy. Taking to his official X handle, Gandhi shared a video featuring Sarthak and commended his bravery and investigative skills. He noted that despite being only 18 years of age, Sarthak possesses a level of thought, courage, and principle that's second to none. Gandhi highlighted that Sarthak, along with his companion Nisarg, managed to achieve what many large media houses and investigative journalists failed to do: exposing the alleged collusion between CBSE and COEMPT before the entire nation.
The Impact of Sarthak's Investigation
Rahul Gandhi's post wasn't just a note of appreciation but also a sharp critique of the current administration's approach towards the youth. He stated that while the Prime Minister might want the youth to remain occupied with making reels or frying pakoras without asking questions, students like Sarthak have proven otherwise. Gandhi remarked that these children not only asked the right questions but also found the answers themselves. He went as far as to say that this 18-year-old child of the country turned out to be faster than the CBI. According to Gandhi, this victory of the youth represents a true defeat for the government, showcasing the real power of India's young generation—curious, aware, and informed.
Background of the CBSE OSM Controversy
The controversy in question, known as the CBSE OSM (On-Screen Marking) dispute, first came to light in May 2026. It involved significant complaints regarding the digital evaluation system used for the Class 12 board examinations. The situation escalated to a point where the central government had to take decisive action. On June 2 2026, the government ordered the transfer of CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta. Reports indicate that this major administrative shake-up was a direct consequence of a presentation submitted by Sarthak.
Details of the 7-Page Presentation
Sarthak, who was himself a Class 12 student under the CBSE board, had appeared for his examinations in the same year. Following the announcement of the results, he raised several questions regarding the marking system and expressed doubts about his own answer sheets. This led him to conduct a deep dive into the new marking system's flaws. He prepared a comprehensive 7-page presentation that detailed the shortcomings in the tender process used to select vendors for the on-screen marking. His presentation questioned the board's transparency and the technical integrity of the evaluation process.
Student Allegations and Technical Flaws
The grievances shared by Sarthak were echoed by a large number of students. The primary allegations included that the scanned copies of the answer booklets were extremely blurry and didn't match the actual handwriting of the students. Plus, there were claims of significant discrepancies in the marking, where the final results didn't align with the performance of the students. These technical and administrative failures led to a massive influx of applications for re-evaluation. Rahul Gandhi concluded his message by asserting that the future of the country wouldn't be misled, as the youth are now more vigilant than ever.