‘Was busy exposing you’: Teen investigator Sarthak Sidhant to CBSE for re-evaluation deadline extension

Teen Investigator Sarthak Sidhant to CBSE: 'Was Busy Exposing You' Over Re-evaluation Deadline Extension

Was busy exposing you - “Was busy exposing you” – a phrase that sparked widespread attention as a Class 12 student from Ranchi, Jharkhand, took to social media to challenge the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) over its re-evaluation process. Sarthak Sidhant, a 17-year-old with a keen eye for detail, criticized the board’s June 7 deadline for submitting verification requests, arguing that the tight timeline left students scrambling to prove their cases. His tweet, posted on X, referenced CBSE’s own reminder, highlighting the urgency of the situation: “

Can u please extend the deadline please because I was busy this week exposing you

.” The message, blending personal accountability with institutional scrutiny, has become a symbol of student activism in the education sector.

Student Activism Sparks Immediate Government Response

Less than a week after Sidhant’s tweet, the Indian government took decisive action. On June 2, CBSE chairman Rahul Singh and secretary Himanshu Gupta were replaced in response to the student’s allegations. This swift move underscored the gravity of the situation, as Sidhant’s seven-page report detailed procurement irregularities in the CBSE’s on-screen marking (OSM) portal. The report, which gained traction through social media, led to the formation of a single-member committee to investigate the vendor Coempt EduTeck, accused of influencing tender awards to favor its own interests.

Amid the controversy, Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, who chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, emphasized the need for transparency. “Students are not just passive exam-takers; they are now active watchdogs of the system,” he remarked, citing Sidhant’s findings as a catalyst for reform. The committee’s mandate includes examining the OSM portal’s technical flaws, which Sidhant had identified through meticulous analysis of tender documents. His work, while criticized by some as an overreach, has drawn support from fellow students and educators who see it as a legitimate effort to hold the board accountable.

OSM Portal Controversy and Student Concerns

Sidhant’s investigation into the OSM portal began after a friend brought to his attention potential inconsistencies in the system’s operation. The portal, launched to digitize the marking process, was supposed to streamline exam evaluations. However, Sidhant’s blog, titled “How CBSE Rewrote Rules to Favor Coempt EduTeck,” accused the board of at least 15 discrepancies in tender awards, suggesting a bias toward the vendor. The contract for the OSM system was awarded to Coempt EduTeck on December 5, 74 days before exams commenced on February 17.

CBSE and Coempt EduTeck have defended the tender process, claiming it followed General Financial Rules. Yet Sidhant’s analysis, which included comparing procurement timelines with the exam schedule, raised questions about the system’s readiness. He pointed out that the portal’s technical shortcomings could have been addressed with broader pilot testing, which he argued was overlooked. This critique has fueled debates about whether the CBSE prioritized speed over precision, leaving students vulnerable to errors during the re-evaluation phase.

The deadline extension request has also resonated with other students. Vedant Shrivastava, a fellow Class 12 student, had previously highlighted issues with incorrect answer sheets, which went viral and drew public attention. Sidhant’s phrase, “Was busy exposing you,” has since been adopted as a rallying cry, symbolizing the growing frustration with the CBSE’s handling of the re-evaluation process. Educators and parents have expressed concern that the board’s swift response to Sidhant’s allegations might mask deeper systemic problems.

Cybersecurity Claims and Revised Timelines

In the wake of Sidhant’s exposure, CBSE attributed the re-evaluation delays to a cybersecurity breach by “malicious actors.” The board claimed that the attack disrupted its online verification system, forcing a manual review of 13,583 answer books after the portal was reopened on June 2. This date, just one day after the original May 29 deadline, has become a focal point in the debate over whether the delay was necessary or a pretext to manage scrutiny. Sidhant, however, argues that the cybersecurity claim is a convenient excuse, as the system’s flaws were evident before the attack.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, visited Sidhant and his family to offer moral support, urging him to “

stay firm on your principles

” despite the political pressure. The visit highlighted the growing influence of student-led investigations in shaping policy discussions. Critics argue that the CBSE’s use of the cybersecurity narrative may have diverted attention from the procurement issues Sidhant exposed. The board’s revised timeline, though providing some relief, has done little to quell concerns about transparency and fairness in the re-evaluation process.

As the CBSE navigates this crisis, the incident has sparked broader conversations about student empowerment and institutional accountability. Sidhant’s bold approach, blending social media advocacy with detailed documentation, has set a precedent for future transparency efforts. His story underscores how young individuals can challenge established systems, using technology and public platforms to amplify their voices. While the re-evaluation deadline extension offers temporary respite, the underlying issues—such as procurement biases and technical shortcomings—remain unresolved, leaving the board under pressure to address the concerns raised by the teen investigator.