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On Tuesday, the Centre transferred Singh from the post of CBSE chairperson amid the escalating row over the board’s On-Screen Marking system and ordered an inquiry
Rahul Singh, ex-chairman of CBSE, is at the centre of the OSM row.
When IAS officer Rahul Singh took charge of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in 2023, he was tasked with one of the most ambitious overhauls of India’s school education system—implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. By the end of his tenure, however, his name had become linked not just to sweeping reforms but also to a series of controversies that triggered political backlash, parliamentary scrutiny and, ultimately, a government-ordered probe.
On Tuesday, the Centre transferred Singh from the post of CBSE chairperson amid the escalating row over the board’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system and ordered an inquiry into the procurement of the technology.
Here’s a look at the key controversies that marked his tenure.
1. The Three-Language Formula Storm
Perhaps the most politically charged controversy under Singh’s leadership was the rollout of the NEP-mandated three-language policy.
Under the new CBSE curriculum framework for Classes 9 and 10, students would be required to study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages. The policy was framed as an effort to align school education with the recommendations of NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE).
But the move immediately sparked opposition, particularly from southern states, with former Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin accusing the Centre of attempting “linguistic imposition”. The debate quickly escalated into a larger political battle over federalism, language identity and education policy.
The issue became significant enough to figure on the agenda of a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting that sought explanations from both CBSE and the Education Ministry.
2. Pushback Over Foreign Languages
The language controversy did not stop with politics.
Several educators and schools expressed concerns that the new language structure could squeeze out foreign language options such as German, French and Spanish, especially in urban schools where demand for such courses had traditionally been high. Reports from Delhi schools suggested teachers were worried about shrinking enrolment and uncertainty over the future of foreign-language programmes.
While CBSE maintained that the reforms were in line with NEP goals and intended to strengthen Indian-language learning, critics argued that implementation remained unclear and could reduce student choice.
3. On-Screen Marking (OSM) Evaluation Row
The biggest crisis of Singh’s tenure erupted after the declaration of the 2026 Class 12 board examination results.
Students and parents alleged serious anomalies in the newly introduced On-Screen Marking system, which digitised the evaluation of answer sheets. Complaints ranged from alleged unchecked answers and evaluation discrepancies to concerns about scanned copies of answer scripts. The issue snowballed on social media and eventually reached Parliament.
The controversy became politically explosive after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi publicly questioned the integrity of the system and highlighted allegations raised by students regarding irregularities in the evaluation process.
Procurement Questions And Tender Scrutiny
What began as a marks-related controversy soon widened into questions about how the OSM system had been procured.
Allegations surfaced regarding the award of the digital evaluation contract to Coempt Edutech, prompting demands for greater transparency in the tendering process. CBSE dismissed the accusations as “erroneous” and “misleading”, insisting that procurement norms had been followed.
However, mounting pressure led the Centre to order a formal investigation into the procurement process. A one-member committee headed by former IAS officer S Radha Chauhan was tasked with examining the matter.
Parliamentary Scrutiny And Exit
The language-policy debate and the OSM controversy converged in an unusual way when both issues were listed for examination by a Parliamentary Standing Committee. Lawmakers sought explanations on the implementation of the language reforms as well as the functioning of the digital evaluation system.
Within days, the government transferred both Rahul Singh and CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta. The Centre simultaneously announced a probe into the OSM procurement process and appointed a new CBSE leadership team.
Reformer Or Controversial Administrator?
Supporters of Rahul Singh argue that many of the controversies stemmed from his aggressive push to implement NEP reforms, including changes to language education, curriculum design and examination systems. As CBSE chairperson, he oversaw some of the most significant policy changes in recent years, particularly the transition toward digital evaluation and NEP-aligned schooling.
Critics, however, contend that the rollout of these reforms often outpaced stakeholder consultation and implementation preparedness, culminating in the OSM crisis that eventually overshadowed much of his reform agenda.
Whether remembered as a reformer who pushed difficult changes or as the face of one of CBSE’s most turbulent periods in recent years, Rahul Singh leaves behind a tenure that generated as much debate as it did transformation.
About the Author
Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University’s Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, …Read More
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