‘Asked For Answer Sheets, Branded Anti-Nationals’: Rahul Gandhi Meets Students At Centre Of CBSE Evaluation Row
Rahul Gandhi Extends Support To Students
The debate surrounding a disputed CBSE Class 12 answer sheet has intensified after Rahul Gandhi met students who brought the issue into the national spotlight and questioned the backlash they faced for raising concerns.
The controversy emerged when student Vedant Shrivastava alleged that the Physics answer book made available under his roll number was not his own. The claim quickly gained attention online and sparked wider discussions about the examination board's evaluation and answer-sheet access mechanisms.
During his interaction with the students, Gandhi expressed support for their efforts to seek clarification and accountability, arguing that students asking questions about their academic records should not be subjected to personal attacks.
Student Raises Concerns Over Online Abuse
A video shared by Gandhi on social media showed students recounting the criticism they allegedly faced after the issue became public.
According to the students, social media users targeted them with accusations and labels unrelated to the actual dispute over answer sheets. They said the discussion shifted away from academic concerns and became focused on personal attacks.
Gandhi criticised the response directed at the students, arguing that genuine concerns should be addressed through transparency and dialogue rather than hostility. He maintained that questioning institutions does not make students enemies of the nation and that identifying problems is essential for improving systems.
Answer Sheet Mix-Up Triggered Wider Debate
The controversy began after Vedant publicly claimed that the Physics answer sheet linked to his examination record appeared to belong to another candidate.
As the issue gained momentum, attention turned to the CBSE's recently introduced digital evaluation framework and its On-Screen Marking system. Students and parents began discussing broader concerns about answer-sheet verification, transparency and result accuracy.
Following an internal review, Central Board of Secondary Education acknowledged that an incorrect answer book had been associated with the student's record. The board later provided the correct answer sheet and indicated that any necessary corrections to the result would be made after completing the verification process.
Row Continues To Fuel Questions On Evaluation System
Although the immediate dispute over the answer sheet was addressed, the episode has continued to generate discussion about examination management, digital evaluation practices and accountability within large-scale testing systems.
With political leaders, students and education experts now weighing in, the controversy has evolved beyond a single answer-sheet error into a broader debate on transparency and trust in India's examination framework.
