The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued its first detailed response to the controversy surrounding its On-Screen Marking (OSM) platform, stating that it is actively addressing security concerns raised in recent days.

In a public statement shared through social media, the board said it is keeping a close watch on the vulnerabilities detected within the OSM system operated by its service provider. CBSE noted that immediate steps have been taken to secure the platform after concerns surfaced in the public domain.

According to the board, a dedicated team comprising cybersecurity experts from various government organisations and leading Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has been working continuously to review and strengthen the portal's digital security framework.

CBSE stated that the known vulnerabilities have already been addressed and that further assessments are being carried out to identify and eliminate any additional risks. As part of its ongoing efforts, the board is also migrating the portal to a more secure technological environment.

The education board acknowledged the contribution of ethical hackers and members of the public who reported potential weaknesses in the system. CBSE said it had reached out to several individuals who highlighted security issues and expressed appreciation for their role in helping improve the platform's safety.

The board has also encouraged others who may have discovered vulnerabilities to share their findings directly with its security team through an official communication channel, helping authorities strengthen the system further.

The clarification comes at a time when the On-Screen Marking platform has faced increasing attention over concerns related to data protection and digital infrastructure security.

The controversy intensified after 19-year-old ethical hacker Nisarga Adhikary claimed that answer sheets and question papers stored on a cloud-based server were accessible without adequate restrictions. The allegation raised fresh questions about the security measures protecting sensitive academic data linked to the board's examination ecosystem.

The issue gained further momentum after a 17-year-old Class 12 student, Sarthak Sidhant, conducted an independent review of CBSE tender documents. Based on his findings, he alleged that certain eligibility norms and security-related requirements were eased during the bidding process, ultimately resulting in Hyderabad-based Coempt Eduteck being awarded the On-Screen Marking contract.

While concerns continue to be examined, CBSE has maintained that corrective action is already underway and that strengthening the security and reliability of the OSM platform remains a priority.