India removes exam chief over marking fiasco

India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has removed its chairman, Rahul Singh, and secretary, Himanshu Gupta, following a marking fiasco in exams taken by nearly 1.8 million students. The controversy stems from cybersecurity flaws in an online grading system, which led to incorrect grades and wrongful result issuance, despite the CBSE claiming it aimed to improve accuracy and efficiency. The board acknowledged vulnerabilities in the digital system after cybersecurity researcher Nisarga Adhikary, 19, exposed weaknesses last month. In response, the CBSE launched a re-evaluation portal for students disputing their grades, though frustration persists. Protests are being organized in New Delhi this weekend by the satirical Cockroach People’s Party, a movement mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old Boston University graduate leading the initiative, announced plans to return to India to spearhead demonstrations, while activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59, also pledged support. The scandal follows a separate incident where the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), a highly competitive medical entrance exam, was canceled after a question paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a chemistry lecturer identified as the mastermind behind the leak, which reportedly led to teen suicides and forced a rescheduled exam. The CBSE’s digital marking system was deployed this year to streamline grading but instead sparked outrage over fairness and transparency. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan faces mounting pressure to resign amid the dual crises. The CBSE’s handling of both incidents has drawn criticism, with students and activists demanding accountability. While the board claims to have contained the vulnerabilities, the fallout continues to disrupt India’s education system, raising concerns over exam integrity and digital security.