Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticized the Centre and Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, for alleged irregularities in the Central Board of Secondary Education’s new On Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 Board exams. Ramesh claimed that this system has caused uncertainty for numerous students nationwide. He highlighted issues such as a three-percentage-point drop in the Class 12 pass percentage, blurred answer sheets, incorrect markings, delays in payments, and high revaluation fees.
Ramesh pointed out that the OSM system involves digitally evaluating scanned exam papers on a computer screen after masking student identities. He accused Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of reacting only after the problems escalated and failing to foresee challenges before implementing the system. Ramesh criticized the delayed response from the Education Ministry and CBSE, questioning the lack of adequate planning before adopting the digital marking system.
Further intensifying his criticism, Ramesh demanded the resignation of the Education Minister, holding him responsible for disrupting the future of Indian students. He also called for answers from the Prime Minister regarding why such ineptitude has been allowed to persist for so long.
