Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, 27 May launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government over alleged tampering of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination results, asserting that nearly 1.85 million students and their families had been left in shock by what he called a 'deliberate conspiracy'. Gandhi demanded an independent judicial inquiry and the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify those responsible.

Gandhi's Allegations Against COEMPT

Posting on X, Gandhi alleged 'massive tampering' in the CBSE results and accused the Centre of maintaining silence despite the gravity of the charges. He specifically targeted a company named COEMPT, which was reportedly entrusted with responsibilities linked to the examination process. According to Gandhi, COEMPT had previously faced controversy in Telangana in 2019 under the name Globarena, and had allegedly only changed its name while retaining the same functioning.

Gandhi questioned why the contract was awarded to COEMPT despite its alleged controversial past, and asked whether established procedures and rules were bypassed during the tendering process. He also sought to know who authorised the contract and whether any connection existed between the company's management and the Modi government.

Key Demands: SIT and Judicial Inquiry

The Congress leader asserted that the matter was not a routine administrative lapse but a planned conspiracy directly affecting students' futures. He called for an immediate independent judicial inquiry and constitution of an SIT to uncover those responsible for the alleged irregularities. Gandhi also assured students that their hard work would not be allowed to be 'stolen'.

Broader Crisis in National Examinations

This comes amid a widening crisis of confidence in India's centralised examination system. Earlier this month, the NEET-UG paper leak controversy had triggered nationwide outrage after allegations emerged that question papers were circulated before the examination, sparking protests and court proceedings. The CBSE 2026 controversy has now compounded those concerns, with opposition parties and student groups demanding stronger safeguards and systemic reforms.

Notably, this is not the first time the credibility of high-stakes national examinations has come under scrutiny. Critics argue that repeated incidents point to structural vulnerabilities in how examination contracts are awarded and monitored, rather than isolated failures.

Government Response and What Comes Next

The Modi government had not issued a formal response to Gandhi's specific allegations at the time of reporting. Opposition pressure for accountability is expected to intensify, particularly with student groups already mobilised following the NEET-UG row. The demand for an SIT and judicial probe is likely to be raised in Parliament, with the monsoon session approaching. All eyes are now on whether the Centre moves to order an independent inquiry or defends the examination process through official channels.