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Eighteen-year-old student Sarthak Sidhant exposed alleged irregularities in the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system and its tendering process, prompting a government inquiry and administrative changes. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi praised Sarthak and his associate Nisarga for uncovering the issue, criticizing the government’s response and calling for an independent investigation. CBSE defended the OSM system, while the re-evaluation deadline was extended amid technical concerns and cyberattacks on the portal.
We measured how 13 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans left-leaning overall (Left 62%, Centre 29%, Right 9%). Overall sentiment is neutral (42/100). Lens Score 41/100 — moderate-to-low public interest.
Outlets analysed (first-hand measurement by TBN's Bias Engine):
The article group includes perspectives from opposition leaders, notably Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, who emphasize youth activism and criticize the government’s handling of the CBSE OSM controversy. Government and CBSE officials’ viewpoints are less prominent but include defenses of the system and acknowledgment of technical issues. The coverage reflects a focus on political accountability and youth engagement, with opposition voices more vocal in framing the narrative.
The overall tone is mixed, combining critical views from opposition figures highlighting alleged irregularities and government shortcomings with neutral reporting on procedural developments like deadline extensions and system defenses. While the opposition’s statements carry a critical and assertive sentiment, official responses and factual updates maintain a more neutral and procedural tone, balancing the coverage.
Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.
| Source | Their headline | Bias | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| thetribune | Rahul meets students who flagged CBSE-COEMPT links - The Tribune | Left | Neutral |
| arunachaltimesin | Gandhi hits out at PM Modi over CBSE OSM row | Left | Neutral |
| thehindu | PM wants the country's youth to keep making reels and frying pakoras, says Rahul Gandhi | Left | Neutral |
timesnow broke this story on 7 Jun, 09:30 am. Other outlets followed.
Story is receiving appropriate media attention relative to public interest.
TBN's analysis identified the following accountability dimensions in this story.
This story involves alleged financial misconduct — unexplained transactions, procurement irregularities, or misuse of public/shareholder funds.
This story involves alleged misuse of official authority or institutional position to achieve personal or political ends.
This story involves evidence of information being withheld, records altered, or facts suppressed by the parties involved.
Institutions and figures named across source coverage.
| theprint | 'PM wants youth to keep making reels, fry pakodas': Rahul Gandhi hits out at PM Modi on CBSE OSM row | Left | Neutral |
| mint | CBSE student Sarthak Sidhant who exposed OSM system seeks extension of re-evaluation deadline: 'Was busy exposing you' Today News | Left | Neutral |
| english | 'PM Wants Youth To Make Reels': Rahul Gandhi Praises CBSE Whistleblowers | Left | Neutral |
| indiatoday | PM wants youth to make reels and not ask questions: Rahul Gandhi on CBSE OSM row | Left | Neutral |
| hindustantimes | 'Was busy exposing you': Teen investigator Sarthak Sidhant to CBSE on re-evaluation deadline | Left | Neutral |
| hindustantimes | 'Modi wants youth to make reels instead': Rahul Gandhi at meeting with Sarthak Sidhant, teen who probed CBSE | Left | Neutral |
| thetribune | PM wants youth to keep making reels, fry pakodas: Rahul Gandhi hits out at PM Modi on CBSE OSM row - The Tribune | Left | Neutral |
| freepressjournal | 'Victory Of Youth, Defeat Of Government': Rahul Gandhi Hails Sarthak, Nisarga For Exposing Alleged CBSE-COEMPT Nexus | Left | Neutral |
| indiatoday | 'I was busy exposing you': Gen Z whistleblower seeks CBSE re-valuation window extension | Center | Neutral |
| timesnow | "Why Is CBSE Using Such an Insecure Platform?": Sarthak Sidhant Details OSM Flaws in Conversation With Rahul Gandhi | Center | Neutral |
