Rahul Gandhi criticizes Centre over CBSE re-evaluation process and 'Soros agents' remark

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a strong critique against the Indian government and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) concerning the handling of re-evaluation requests and alleged discrepancies within the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. The controversy escalated when Gandhi, in a series of social media posts and interactions, voiced his support for students who had raised concerns about alleged errors in their CBSE Class 12 examination results. He particularly highlighted the issue of students being allegedly made to pay for rectifying errors that stemmed from the board's own processes, likening the situation to 'pickpockets' within the CBSE. Gandhi's remarks were particularly pointed towards the government's alleged response to student grievances. He accused the government of branding young individuals who question the system as 'anti-national' and 'deep state agents.' In a sarcastic tone, he referred to a group of students he met as his 'fellow anti-national Soros agents,' a remark seen as a dig at the government's rhetoric against dissent and criticism, and possibly a reference to past controversies involving George Soros and foreign funding allegations. This statement, shared via a video on social media platforms like X, underscored his solidarity with the students and his criticism of how their concerns were being dismissed. The core of the CBSE controversy lies in the implementation of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Several students and parents have reported alleged discrepancies, such as receiving answer sheets that did not belong to them during the re-evaluation process. This led to intensified scrutiny of the digital evaluation system, with questions raised about its accuracy and transparency. The situation was further amplified by the perceived high costs associated with re-evaluation, verification of marks, and obtaining scanned copies of answer sheets. In response to the widespread student complaints and the ensuing public discussion, the CBSE took steps to address the financial burden on students. The board significantly reduced the fees for post-result services. For instance, the fee for obtaining a scanned copy of an evaluated answer sheet was reduced from ₹700 to ₹100 per subject. Verification of marks was also brought down to ₹100 per subject, and the re-evaluation fee per question was slashed from ₹100 to ₹25. Notably, the CBSE also introduced a provision for a full refund if marks increased after re-evaluation. These fee reductions were announced around mid-May 2026 and were implemented to provide relief to students planning to challenge their scores. Gandhi's criticism extended to the broader theme of 'financialization' of education, where he argued that the education system was being treated as a business rather than a public service. He stated that students were being made to pay for institutional errors, bearing the cost of time, self-confidence, and future prospects. He calculated that a student might have to spend up to ₹2,000 to ensure the accurate evaluation of their answer sheet, questioning the revenue generated by the CBSE from these fees, especially when an estimated four lakh students had applied for such services. He emphasized that when mistakes are made by the CBSE, the punishment falls on the student, and the profit benefits the government. The Indian Express, as a news source, is generally considered a reputable publication in India, though some analyses point to a Left-Center bias and occasional issues with sourcing or fact-checking, classifying its factual reporting as 'Mixed'. However, for this specific story, the core claims regarding Rahul Gandhi's statements and the CBSE's fee reductions are well-corroborated by multiple credible news outlets, including The Hindu, India Today, and Hindustan Times. The article accurately reflects Rahul Gandhi's public statements and the actions taken by the CBSE in response to student concerns. This news story is primarily of national importance to India, focusing on education policy, political discourse, and student welfare within the country. The events surrounding the CBSE re-evaluation process and Rahul Gandhi's political commentary are current and have significant public interest, making the story relevant and trending within the Indian context.

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