Teen 'investigator' teases CBSE over deadline extension: 'Was busy exposing you'
After causing a structural shakeup at the board, whistleblower Sarthak Siddhant jokingly requests more time to file for his paper re-evaluation
His blog had already triggered a turmoil at the Central Board of School Examination (CBSE) by pointing out alleged irregularities in the board’s tendering process. The 17-year-old Sarthak Siddhant became a sensational whistleblower overnight and caught the attention of opposition politicians, activists and citizens. He even appeared before a parliamentary panel on June 2 to present his findings.
Also read: CBSE OSM row sparks calls for grace marks, manual re-evaluation | AI With Sanket
On Sunday (June 7), the teen was up to it once again as he used the board’s own deadline notification to take a dig at it, requesting an extension to the re-evaluation window. Reason? Siddanth said he was busy this week “exposing” the CBSE!
“Can u please extend the deadline please because i was busy this week exposing you,” Sidhant responded to the board’s post.
Reminder
— CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) June 7, 2026
Today, 07 June 2026, is the last day to submit applications for Verification of Issues Observed and Re-evaluation of Answers on the post-result services portal for Class XII Examination 2026.
Students should complete and submit their applications before this… pic.twitter.com/3MNugdd1oE
The portal was set to remain accessible until 11.59 pm on June 7, a deadline the board had already extended once from Saturday (June 6), following complaints about technical glitches on the platform.
Also read: How CBSE's OSM upgrade turned nightmarish for students | Blurred scans and mix-ups
Netizens were divided over his response. While some praised for being courageous, others said he was crossing limits.
Sidhant, a student and blogger based in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and takes an interest in coding, artificial intelligence and robotics, was responding on social media platform X to a CBSE post reminding Class 12 candidates that June 7 was the final day to apply for answer sheet verification and re-evaluation.
Rahul Gandhi meets Sidhant and family
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met Sidhant and his family at his residence, where they had a conversation on the matter. The ‘investigator’ teen told him about how he and one of his ethical hacker friends dug deep into the matter and had their findings about the alleged lack of transparency.
Later, Rahul posted a video of him speaking with Sidhant and his family members, and saying on X, “Sarthak is 18 years old - but in thought, courage, and principles, second to none. He and his partner Nisarga did what the country's big media houses and investigative journalists couldn't - they exposed the collusion between CBSE and COEMPT to the nation.”
Also read: Opposition questions CBSE transfers: Where does ministerial responsibility begin?
Sidhant said in his presentation before the parliamentary panel how the CBSE allegedly rewrote rules to favour Hyderabad-based edutech company, Coempt EduTeck, which has been under fire for the discrepancies in the evaluation of the Class 12 results.
The Centre replaced the CBSE's chairman and secretary on June 2 and also set up a one-member committee to probe the board's acquisition of services for the on-screen marking procedure.