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Coempt Edu Teck Rejects CBSE OSM Allegations, Says Scanning Errors Triggered Answer-Sheet Controversy

/ Education Community

Coempt Edu Teck, the Hyderabad-based firm facing scrutiny over the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system controversy, has dismissed claims of technical glitches and security vulnerabilities, stating that recent issues were isolated operational errors rather than failures in its technology infrastructure. The company clarified that the incident involving a student allegedly receiving another candidate’s answer sheet was linked to a mistake during the physical scanning process, not due to any software malfunction. According to Coempt, internal verification confirmed that the system itself functioned without technological errors, and the individual responsible for the scanning process had been identified. Responding to complaints regarding blurred answer-sheet images and readability concerns, the company said these cases are being examined in coordination with relevant evaluation authorities. It also refuted allegations that procurement norms were altered to allow inferior hardware, asserting that it uses industry-standard scanners that are upgraded regularly and deliver high-quality scanning resolution. Coempt further stated that nearly 95 percent of students who applied for access to scanned answer sheets have already received them, with only limited operational bottlenecks affecting the remaining cases. Addressing cybersecurity concerns raised after a 19-year-old ethical hacker reportedly discovered vulnerabilities on the platform, the company said the accessed server was only a publicly available testing environment containing dummy data and had no connection to live production systems handling student records. It emphasized that no student data had been compromised and its operational infrastructure remains secure. The company also referenced the controversy surrounding the 2019 Telangana Intermediate Examination Controversy, noting that courts had reviewed the matter and that the Supreme Court of India had rejected petitions seeking mass re-evaluation, compensation, and criminal proceedings against the technology provider. Currently, Coempt provides examination management services, including digitisation, on-screen evaluation, AI-assisted assessment, and question-paper management, to over 35 universities and educational institutions across India. Source: Indian Express

Coempt Edu Teck Rejects CBSE OSM Allegations, Says Scanning Errors Triggered Answer-Sheet Controversy Read More »

IIT Roorkee Partners with TeamLease EdTech to Launch Executive Programme in AI for E-Commerce and Quick Commerce

/ Education Community

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has introduced a new executive programme focused on Artificial Intelligence applications in e-commerce and quick commerce, in collaboration with TeamLease EdTech. Designed as a six-month course, the programme is aimed at working professionals looking to strengthen their expertise in rapidly evolving digital commerce sectors. The curriculum is structured to provide learners with in-depth knowledge of AI, machine learning, generative AI, natural language processing (NLP), and data-driven technologies that are transforming modern commerce ecosystems. Key modules include AI fundamentals, customer segmentation, recommendation engines, demand forecasting, inventory management, dynamic pricing strategies, fraud detection, customer analytics, and last-mile delivery optimisation. Participants will also gain practical exposure to industry-relevant tools and technologies such as Python, Power BI, Tableau, Elasticsearch, collaborative filtering models, association rule mining, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures, LLM-powered chatbots, NLP frameworks, and open-source large language models. The programme will be delivered through live interactive sessions, making it accessible for professionals currently working as well as individuals aspiring to build careers in the e-commerce and quick commerce industry. Learners will work on real-world business challenges through hands-on projects and a capstone assignment focused on areas such as pricing strategies, customer intelligence, forecasting, recommendations, and churn analysis. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certification from the Continuing Education Centre at IIT Roorkee. Speaking on the launch, Prof. Soumitra Satapathi highlighted that the rapid growth of e-commerce and quick commerce is transforming business operations and customer expectations, making AI a critical component of future-ready business strategies. He noted that the programme has been designed to equip professionals with practical knowledge to apply AI solutions in real-world commerce environments. Source: Indian Express

IIT Roorkee Partners with TeamLease EdTech to Launch Executive Programme in AI for E-Commerce and Quick Commerce Read More »

UPSC Opens 400+ Direct Recruitment Vacancies Across 98 Posts; Applications Open Till July 3

/ Education Community

The Union Public Service Commission has announced a major recruitment drive under its direct recruitment scheme, offering more than 400 vacancies across 98 different positions in multiple central government departments and Union Territory administrations. Interested and eligible candidates can submit their applications online through UPSC ORA Portal. As per the official notification, the application process began on June 13, 2026, and candidates can apply until July 3, 2026, by 6 PM. The recruitment covers a wide range of ministries and departments, creating opportunities for professionals in engineering, aviation, scientific research, administration, law, healthcare, education, and technical roles. Key vacancies include Junior Scientific Officer, Operations Officer, Air Safety Officer, Assistant Director, Assistant Engineer, Assistant Public Prosecutor, along with teaching and faculty positions such as Associate Professors and Assistant Professors at the College of Military Engineering in Pune. Among the largest openings are 121 Specialist Grade-III medical positions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 50 Assistant Director Grade-II (Economic) posts under MSME, and 40 Assistant Professor vacancies under the Ministry of Defence’s CME group. Several positions have also been announced for departments in Ladakh, including administrative, technical, and healthcare roles. Candidates are advised to review the official recruitment notification carefully for department-wise vacancy details, eligibility criteria, and qualification requirements before applying. Source: Indian Express

UPSC Opens 400+ Direct Recruitment Vacancies Across 98 Posts; Applications Open Till July 3 Read More »

IIT Kanpur Introduces B Cyber Programme; Admissions Through JEE Main and Cybersecurity Assessment

/ Education Community

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) has announced the launch of a new undergraduate programme, Bachelor of Cybersecurity (B Cyber), commencing from the 2026-27 academic session. The four-year degree will be offered through the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems, with the first batch set to begin classes in July 2026. Unlike traditional IIT undergraduate programmes, admission to the B Cyber course will not require a JEE Advanced score. Instead, applicants will be shortlisted based on their performance in JEE Main along with demonstrated experience or accomplishments in the field of cybersecurity. Selected candidates will then undergo an in-person evaluation at the IIT Kanpur campus, which will include a cybersecurity-focused hackathon. The programme has been structured to blend academic learning with practical industry exposure. During the first two years, students will study core cybersecurity concepts through classroom instruction, laboratory sessions, and hands-on training designed to build strong theoretical and technical foundations. In the final two years, students will undertake internships with government security agencies, gaining real-world experience by working on cybersecurity projects and addressing critical security challenges. IIT Kanpur stated that the programme has been introduced to address the growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals amid increasing concerns around digital security and the protection of critical infrastructure. IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal emphasized the strategic importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding national and digital assets. Nitin Saxena, Dean of the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems, said the initiative aims to create industry-ready professionals by combining rigorous academic education with extensive practical training. The institute also announced that a dedicated admission portal for the programme is currently under development and is expected to be launched next week. Comprehensive details regarding eligibility criteria, admission procedures, and application guidelines will be available on the website. Source: Indian Express

IIT Kanpur Introduces B Cyber Programme; Admissions Through JEE Main and Cybersecurity Assessment Read More »

IAF to Airlift NEET-UG 2026 Retest Question Papers Ahead of June 21 Examination

/ Education Community

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will play a key role in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 retest by transporting question papers to 18 locations across the country ahead of the examination scheduled for June 21, 2026. According to sources in the Ministry of Defence, the papers will be airlifted to designated hubs before being securely distributed to examination centres nationwide. The enhanced security arrangements come amid heightened scrutiny following the cancellation of the original NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was conducted on May 3. The test was annulled on May 12 after allegations of a question paper leak surfaced, prompting an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has rejected claims circulating on social media regarding an alleged leak or sale of the retest question paper. On June 6, the agency described such reports as false and misleading, warning that strict action would be taken against individuals responsible for spreading misinformation. The June 21 retest is being conducted under strengthened security protocols to ensure the integrity and transparency of the country’s largest medical entrance examination. Source: The Hindu

IAF to Airlift NEET-UG 2026 Retest Question Papers Ahead of June 21 Examination Read More »

IAF to Transport NEET 2026 Question Papers as Telangana Prepares for Re-Exam Across 208 Centres

/ Education Community

Around 73,000 candidates are set to appear for the NEET 2026 re-examination in Telangana on June 21, with authorities implementing extensive measures to ensure a smooth and secure conduct of the test. The examination will be held across 208 centres located in 24 cities throughout the state. During a high-level review meeting chaired by Telangana Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Abhishek Singh announced that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will, for the first time, be involved in transporting NEET question papers. The move is aimed at strengthening security and safeguarding the integrity of the examination process. The Chief Secretary directed district administrations and relevant departments to coordinate closely and ensure seamless arrangements for candidates, including infrastructure, transportation, power supply, drinking water, and other essential facilities at examination venues. Telangana Principal Secretary (Health), Christina Z. Chongthu, stated that all necessary preparations are underway to facilitate the large-scale examination across the state. Emphasizing security, Director General of Police (Law and Order) Mahesh Bhagwat instructed police authorities to maintain strict vigilance at examination centres and work in coordination with local administrations. He also urged officials to actively monitor social media platforms to counter rumours and misinformation that could disrupt the examination process. With enhanced security protocols and comprehensive logistical planning, authorities are aiming to provide a hassle-free and fair examination environment for all NEET aspirants. Source: PTI  

IAF to Transport NEET 2026 Question Papers as Telangana Prepares for Re-Exam Across 208 Centres Read More »

CBSE Receives Nearly 44,000 Rechecking Requests Amid Ongoing Portal Issues

/ Education Community

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recorded 43,980 applications for verification and re-evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets as of 12 noon on June 3, reflecting a surge in demand for post-result services. The total includes 4,924 requests for verification and 39,056 applications for re-evaluation. Despite the high number of successful submissions, students and parents continue to raise concerns over technical difficulties on the portal. Several complaints shared on social media platform X alleged delays in receiving scanned copies of evaluated answer books, a prerequisite for applying for verification and re-evaluation. Others reported missing options for certain subjects and questions, along with confusion surrounding compartment examination-related applications. In response, CBSE stated that its technical teams are actively monitoring the portal to ensure a secure, reliable, and student-friendly experience. The board also announced the integration of multiple payment gateways, including those of SBI, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Indian Bank. Students can make payments through UPI, net banking, debit cards, or credit cards without requiring accounts in these banks. According to CBSE, nearly 40,000 students had successfully completed their applications by 9:30 am on June 3. The latest figures mark a substantial increase from the previous evening, when the board reported over 28,000 successful submissions and nearly 14,000 concurrent users on the platform. To address user feedback, CBSE has introduced several enhancements, including extending session time limits to reduce automatic logouts during the application process. The verification and re-evaluation window remains open from June 2 to June 6 for Class 12 students who have obtained scanned copies of their answer books. Under the revised post-result framework, students can apply for verification at a fee of ₹100 per answer book and request re-evaluation at ₹25 per question. The board had postponed the portal launch to June 1 to facilitate a smoother and more transparent process. Since its launch, the system has faced heavy traffic and cyberattack attempts, prompting CBSE to strengthen technical safeguards while keeping services operational. Source: Indian Express

CBSE Receives Nearly 44,000 Rechecking Requests Amid Ongoing Portal Issues Read More »

CBSE Re-Evaluation Portal Faces Massive Cyberattack, Handles 1.5 Million Malicious Hits in Minutes

/ Education Community

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) revealed that its Class 12 re-evaluation portal was targeted by multiple cyberattack attempts shortly after it was opened for students on Tuesday. Despite the attacks and intermittent technical issues reported by users, the board said the platform remained operational and continued processing applications. According to CBSE, the portal has been active since 4 a.m. and is currently accommodating over 8,000 users simultaneously. By 3 p.m., more than 16,000 students had successfully submitted requests for verification of marks and answer-sheet re-evaluation. The board disclosed that cybercriminals launched several disruptive attempts, including a denial-of-service (DoS) attack that generated nearly 1.5 million hits within just two minutes. In addition, over one lakh unauthorized file-access attempts were detected during the same period. CBSE stated that its technical teams effectively countered the attacks, ensuring that students could continue using the portal with minimal disruption. The board also introduced improvements based on student feedback, including extending session time limits to make the application process smoother and more user-friendly. Officials confirmed that monitoring efforts have been intensified, with cybersecurity teams remaining vigilant to protect the system and ensure uninterrupted access to post-result services. The re-evaluation portal enables Class 12 students to apply for mark verification and answer-sheet re-evaluation after obtaining copies of their evaluated scripts. The process has drawn significant attention this year amid increased scrutiny of the board’s assessment and post-result procedures. Source: Indian Express

CBSE Re-Evaluation Portal Faces Massive Cyberattack, Handles 1.5 Million Malicious Hits in Minutes Read More »

Dharmendra Pradhan Assures Action Over CBSE Evaluation Discrepancies, Takes Responsibility for OSM Issues

/ Education Community

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has acknowledged concerns surrounding discrepancies in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 evaluation process and assured students that all grievances will be addressed. Taking responsibility for issues linked to the newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, he said strict action would be taken against anyone found deliberately responsible for irregularities affecting students. The OSM system, implemented for the first time this year, involves scanning physical answer sheets and uploading them to a secure digital platform for evaluation by examiners. However, several students have reported inconsistencies in marks and claimed that scanned answer sheets available on the CBSE portal did not match their handwriting, raising concerns about possible errors in the digital evaluation process. Addressing the issue, Pradhan noted the massive scale of the exercise, highlighting that nearly 17 lakh students appeared for the examinations, generating around 98 lakh answer sheets comprising approximately 40 crore scanned pages. He stated that the Board is actively working to resolve all concerns related to evaluation, verification, and re-evaluation. To review the situation, the Education Minister chaired a high-level meeting at CBSE headquarters, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Education, CBSE leadership, experts from IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur, representatives of public sector banks, and officials from the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. Discussions focused on evaluation procedures, portal performance, and student support mechanisms. The review also examined complaints regarding login difficulties, heavy server traffic, and payment-related challenges on the post-examination services portal. An expert technical team comprising IIT professors and digital systems specialists has been tasked with assessing portal stability, server capacity, user access management, and payment gateway integration to ensure smoother services for students. In a move aimed at improving the re-evaluation process, CBSE has integrated payment gateways from four public sector banks — State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank — to facilitate seamless transactions for students accessing post-result services. Meanwhile, Pradhan criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging large-scale irregularities in the CBSE examination system and demanding a judicial probe. The Minister defended the Board’s procurement and evaluation processes, stating that all procedures were conducted in accordance with government norms. He reiterated that any genuine irregularities identified during investigations would be dealt with firmly. Emphasising the need to keep students’ interests at the forefront, Pradhan urged political parties not to politicise the issue and stressed that reducing examination-related stress for students should remain the primary objective. Source: The Hindu  

Dharmendra Pradhan Assures Action Over CBSE Evaluation Discrepancies, Takes Responsibility for OSM Issues Read More »

Lok Sabha Clears Enhanced Education Budget; Dharmendra Pradhan Says Higher Education Funding Up 78%

/ Education Community

The Lok Sabha on Thursday approved the demands for grants of the Ministry of Education, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighting a significant rise in budgetary allocations for the sector over the past decade. He stated that India’s education spending has increased from ₹4.3 lakh crore in 2013-14 to ₹9.19 lakh crore at present, underlining the government’s commitment to building a strong knowledge-driven economy by 2047. Replying to the discussion in the House, Pradhan said quality education remains central to India’s vision of becoming a 30-trillion-dollar economy. He noted that the budget allocation for higher education has witnessed a 78% increase since 2013-14. The minister emphasized that the government has focused on ensuring education is accessible, equitable, affordable, accountable, and of high quality. He highlighted the expansion of higher education institutions across the country, including IITs and IIMs. According to him, the number of universities has risen from 760 in 2014-15 to 1,168 currently. Pradhan also spoke about the PM JANMAN scheme, aimed at improving educational access for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). He said the Centre plans to construct 500 hostels for tribal students under the initiative, with work already underway on 119 hostels. He further stated that the government is actively promoting Indian Sign Language and strengthening inclusive education measures. Highlighting women’s representation in education, the minister pointed out that Aligarh Muslim University has appointed its first woman Vice-Chancellor. He also mentioned an increase in the number of female teachers in schools. Opening the debate, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said India has witnessed major improvements in educational infrastructure and quality over the last decade. He added that this year’s Union Budget places special emphasis on youth skill development, employment generation, and self-reliance, targeting skill training for nearly four crore young people. Surya noted that the higher education department’s budget has increased from ₹26,750 crore in 2013-14 to more than ₹47,000 crore now. Opposition members, however, raised concerns over vacancies and the quality of education. Congress MP Mohammad Jawed highlighted that nearly 4.8 lakh teaching positions in schools and over 61,000 posts in central universities remain vacant. TMC MPs Pratima Mondal and Sougata Roy criticized the government’s education policies, alleging inadequate focus on skill development and declining higher education standards. Roy also expressed concern over the growing number of Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad, citing that nearly 8.96 lakh students left the country last year. RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal demanded strict action against the “coaching mafia” and raised concerns over repeated paper leak incidents. MPs including Asaduddin Owaisi, Malvinder Singh Kang, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Priya Saroj, Sambit Patra, and Kanimozhi also participated in the discussion before the House adjourned for the day. Source: News on AIR

Lok Sabha Clears Enhanced Education Budget; Dharmendra Pradhan Says Higher Education Funding Up 78% Read More »