Rahul Gandhi vs Centre: CBSE OSM Row Sparks Major Political Clash

In reaction, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assailed Rahul Gandhi saying he was toxic and demoralizing him due to repeated electoral defeats. Pradhan further claimed that the Congress leader has been consistently opposed to crucial national developments like Digital India, EVMs and many more. Rahul Gandhi appears to be “in a different state of mind,” Pradhan said, and he is trying to confuse the people rather than taking the initiative to help students during an extremely sensitive moment. He urged political leaders to ease students' pressure to fear test results. ‘He seems exasperated with repeated electoral losses. 

He has not backed anything like EVMs, Digital India, some other technologies. This is no time for politics,” Pradhan said. Soon thereafter, Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the Union Minister, saying personal attacks would not deter him from raising questions in the interest of students. He added he is focused on making the CBSE examination in India transparent and looking after the future of lakhs of the country's students. Rahul Gandhi also criticised the awarding of the CBSE OSM contract to a company called COEMPT which he said had previously been brought to the fore under another name, but which had been embroiled in various controversies. 

He accused either the government would have failed to do adequate background checks or that they would have intentionally neglected any concerns about that oversight. “On either side you either didn’t check the background or you dismissed it. “In either scenario, you are the one to blame,” Gandhi said, and calling on the government to be accountable. He also went after the Prime Minister, arguing that if he really cared for the students, he would’ve taken all the necessary steps already. 

Dharmendra Pradhan ji, you can attack me all you want but it won’t absolve you of your crimes. Nor will it stop me from demanding answers for 18.5 lakh children.

Why was the CBSE OSM contract handed to COEMPT - a company already mired in controversy under its old name,… https://t.co/Xy8MbBTnTL

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 28, 2026

Gandhi stated: Responsibility for the alleged irregularities has to be established at all levels. While the politicians had the finger-pointing incident, Dharmendra Pradhan, later acknowledged that certain inconsistencies existed during the CBSE result process. He said the government accepts responsibility and has assented to correcting shortcomings to address student grievances. Pradhan also stated the revaluation of Class 12 exams is in process. He declared the leading authorities including IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras were engaged with monitoring and reviewing the OSM technology system to promote fairness and transparency. 

It goes on to say those questions of student would be answered and that “accountability at every level of the examination system will be guaranteed.” The CBSE OSM row has now emerged as a great battleground because it raises concerns about exams, student welfare and the extent to which technology has been integrated into India’s education system. The situation is under scrutiny from students and parents as sharply exchanged views between both sides continue.