Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Education Minister Over CBSE Marking Irregularities

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sharply criticized Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the CBSE's on-screen marking process. He accused Pradhan of collusion and questioned the awarding of the contract to COEMPT, a company with a controversial past. Gandhi emphasized the need for accountability, stating that if Prime Minister Modi truly cared about students, he should have dismissed Pradhan. In response, Pradhan defended the procurement process, asserting it followed government standards and promised that any irregularities would be addressed. This ongoing political discourse highlights significant concerns regarding the education system in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 28, 2026, 16:48 IST

Rahul Gandhi's Strong Critique of Education Minister

On Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan regarding alleged irregularities in the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) on-screen marking (OSM) evaluation process. He accused Pradhan of collusion and suggested that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi genuinely cared about students, he should have dismissed Pradhan by now. In a post on X, Gandhi questioned why the CBSE awarded the OSM contract to COEMPT, a company previously embroiled in controversies under its former name, Globarena.

Demand for Accountability

Gandhi stated, "Dharmendra Pradhan, you can attack me as much as you want, but that won't absolve your crimes, nor will it stop me from demanding answers for 18.5 lakh children." He further inquired about the rationale behind awarding the OSM contract to COEMPT, emphasizing the need for a thorough background check. He raised concerns about the relationship between COEMPT's management and the Modi government, questioning the lack of proper investigation despite existing concerns.

Government's Response

Earlier on the same day, Dharmendra Pradhan responded to Gandhi's allegations of large-scale manipulation in CBSE results, asserting that the procurement process adhered to the standards set by the Indian government. He informed reporters that the CBSE had already addressed these concerns responsibly, reiterating that if any irregularities were discovered, no one would be spared.