Congress Demands Resignation of Education Minister Amid CBSE Controversy

The Congress party has voiced strong criticism over the recent transfers of CBSE chairman and secretary, alleging that it is an attempt to deflect accountability from political leaders. They are calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing a corrupt and ineffective educational system that has harmed many students. The controversy stems from allegations of discrepancies in the Class 12 examination process, particularly concerning the On-Screen Marking system. This situation has raised significant concerns among students and parents alike, prompting further scrutiny of the CBSE's practices.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 2, 2026, 19:57 IST

Political Fallout from CBSE Leadership Changes

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Congress party criticized the recent transfer of CBSE chairman Rahul Singh and secretary Himanshu Gupta, claiming it is an effort to shift accountability away from political leaders. They emphasized that true justice requires the dismissal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The opposition party accused Pradhan of overseeing a 'deeply corrupt and ineffective system' that has adversely affected countless young individuals.

Earlier that day, officials confirmed the removal of the CBSE chairman and secretary following allegations of irregularities in the digital evaluation process for the Class 12 exams.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has been embroiled in controversy after some Class 12 students reported discrepancies between their handwriting and the scanned copies of their answer sheets, raising alarms about potential mismatches in the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress's general secretary for communications, stated that while the CBSE officials have been reassigned, the 'Mantri Pradhan must be removed from his position.'

He added, 'The abrupt departure of the CBSE leadership and the establishment of a one-member committee to investigate the procurement of the OSM system indicate that irregularities have indeed occurred,' as he shared on X.

Ramesh praised the resourcefulness of Gen Z students for bringing this issue to light and even alerting the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, chaired by Digvijaya Singh, on Tuesday.

'The timing of today's actions, following the committee's meeting with the CBSE Board, appears to be a strategy to distract from accountability and place blame on bureaucrats instead of political figures,' Ramesh remarked.

He also noted that the CBSE chairperson had recently received a two-year extension from the Cabinet Committee on Appointments in November 2025.

'The Mantri Pradhan has been at the helm of a profoundly corrupt and ineffective system that has disrupted the lives of countless youth. He must resign without delay,' Ramesh insisted.

Students and parents have expressed concerns regarding the implementation of the OSM system in the CBSE examination process, with the board facing backlash over technical issues, payment problems, and delays in verification and re-evaluation.