Beware of Pickpockets: Rahul Gandhi Criticizes CBSE and Modi Government Over Re-evaluation Fees
Bharatmorning.com – In a sharp critique directed at the central government and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi highlighted the financial burden placed on students during the re-evaluation process of their Class 12 examination answer sheets. The remarks, shared on social media platform X, underscored his frustration with the system, which he described as exploiting students by charging them for basic corrections. “Beware of pickpockets,” he warned, adding that the current process has transformed educational institutions into profit-driven entities where errors are not resolved but instead compounded.
Student Fees Exposed as CBSE’s Responsibility
Gandhi’s comments were based on a conversation with students who detailed the multiple charges imposed by the CBSE for re-evaluating answer sheets. According to the exchange, students are now required to pay ₹100 per subject for a digital scanned copy of their work, ₹100 per paper for re-totalling, and ₹25 per question for a re-evaluation. This has led to a situation where a single student could end up paying up to ₹2,000 to ensure their exam results are accurately assessed.
“Beware of pickpockets — today they’re sitting inside CBSE. If marks come out wrong due to CBSE’s mistake, what do you get? A bill,” Gandhi said, originally posting the critique in Hindi.
The leader emphasized that these fees are not just additional costs but a direct consequence of the board’s failure to address errors in the evaluation process. He argued that when the scanning of answer sheets is done using mobile phones instead of high-quality robotic scanners, the resulting discrepancies are not accidental. “The mistake is CBSE’s. The punishment is the child’s. The earnings are the government’s,” he stated, highlighting the disconnect between the board’s accountability and the financial strain on students.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with students alleging that the scanned copies of answer sheets uploaded by CBSE do not match their handwritten submissions. This has raised concerns about the integrity of the digital evaluation system, particularly as the OSM (Online Scanning Mechanism) was introduced for Class 12 results starting in 2026. Critics argue that the system’s flaws have exposed vulnerabilities in the way exams are processed and assessed.
Contract Changes Linked to Scanning Issues
Gandhi traced the root of the problem to changes in the tender specifications issued by the CBSE. Originally, the May 2025 tender required answer sheets to be scanned using automatic robotic scanners, with spines preserved and a resolution of at least 300 DPI. However, the tender was reissued in August with significant modifications, including the removal of these specific requirements. The term “scanners” was broadened, and the resolution dropped to 200 DPI, leading to lower-quality scans.
“Now we know what that meant in practice. It has been exposed that COEMPT scanned the answer sheets using mobile phones. The blurred copies, the missing pages, the unscanned books — they are not ‘errors.’ They are the predictable outcome of a contract written to fit a vendor,” Gandhi alleged, calling the situation a “fraud.”
The shift from automated to manual scanning has allegedly created a scenario where discrepancies in answer sheets are not just occasional but systematic. Students have reported instances of blurred copies, pages missing from the original submissions, and entire books not being scanned, all of which have contributed to confusion and disputes over their scores. These issues, according to Gandhi, are a direct result of the CBSE’s decision to prioritize cost efficiency over accuracy.
Re-Evaluation Process Breakdown
A student featured in the video conversation with Gandhi explained the step-by-step process for re-evaluation. The first stage involves obtaining a digital scanned copy of the answer sheet, which costs ₹100 per subject. Once students have this, they must identify specific areas where marks might have been missed and provide justification for why additional points should have been awarded. This process often requires students to review their work meticulously and submit detailed explanations to the board.
Following this, the student must apply for re-totalling, which costs ₹100 per paper. Even if the initial totalling appears correct, this fee is mandatory. Finally, students pay ₹25 per question for re-evaluation, with the total cost increasing based on the number of questions they wish to review. This structure has left many students feeling that the system is designed to generate revenue rather than ensure fair evaluation.
“If evaluation is not happening properly, why do I have to give money for re-evaluation?” the student questioned, expressing the frustration of many who have gone through the process.
The financial implications of this system have been particularly stark for students who have filed applications for re-evaluation. With over 4 lakh applications reportedly submitted, the CBSE is said to be generating substantial income from these fees. Gandhi used this as evidence to accuse the board and the government of turning the education sector into a profit-driven machine, where the mistakes of administrators are passed on to students as financial obligations.
Context and Broader Implications
The re-evaluation controversy is part of a larger discussion about the transparency and fairness of the CBSE’s evaluation procedures. Earlier in the week, Gandhi had criticized the board and the government for compromising the process, citing changes in tender specifications as a key factor. He argued that these changes were not merely administrative but had a direct impact on the accuracy of exam results.
While the OSM system was introduced to streamline the evaluation process and reduce errors, its implementation has faced challenges. Students and educators have pointed out that the system’s reliance on digital scanning has sometimes led to inconsistencies, particularly when the resolution is reduced. This has sparked calls for a more rigorous evaluation mechanism and greater accountability from the CBSE and the government.
Karishma Ayaldasani, a senior content producer at Hindustan Times based in New Delhi, has been instrumental in covering these developments. Her work focuses on delivering timely and clear updates on breaking news, ensuring that readers can grasp the significance of events as they unfold. With over three years of experience in fast-paced newsrooms, she brings a blend of curiosity, clarity, and consistency to her reporting, contributing to live blogs, explainers, and real-time coverage of national and global issues.
