CBSE Exams

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