Sarthak Sidhant Exposes CBSE Tender Fraud — Then Gets a Meeting with Rahul Gandhi

Sarthak Sidhant spent months documenting what he called systematic irregularities in Central Board of Secondary Education procurement contracts. On Tuesday, that work landed him inside the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, seated across from Rahul Gandhi.

The 24-year-old researcher from Chandigarh met the Congress leader at 10 a.m., according to party sources. That same afternoon, the Ministry of Education confirmed it had ordered an independent audit of the Rs 47 crore worth of CBSE contracts flagged in Sidhant's investigation.

The Blog That Started It All

Sidhant launched his investigation in January, publishing findings on a personal blog and later on social media platforms. His research centred on CBSE's 2023-24 procurement cycle, which he alleged showed inflated vendor quotations and questionable shortlisting of contractors for examination materials.

The blog gained traction within education policy circles before mainstream media picked it up three weeks ago. By mid-June, it had accumulated over 2.3 million views across platforms.

"I expected pushback, maybe legal threats," Sidhant told reporters outside the Congress office. "I did not expect this level of response from the government."

Government Acts Within Days

The Ministry of Education issued a statement on Monday confirming it had received Sidhant's documentation. Secretary Rajesh Kumar held a review meeting with CBSE officials on Tuesday morning, just hours before Sidhant arrived in Delhi.

The ministry announced the audit will be conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General's office, with a preliminary report expected within six weeks. The investigation will cover 12 contracts signed between April 2023 and March 2024.

CBSE has denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson said all procurement followed established guidelines and that the board welcomes scrutiny that strengthens transparency.

The Two Meetings in Delhi

Sidhant's first meeting was at the education ministry, where he spent two hours presenting additional documentation to officials. He submitted a 45-page dossier containing what he described as email chains and invoice comparisons supporting his initial claims.

His second meeting lasted 90 minutes and centred on broader questions of accountability in government procurement. Gandhi asked detailed questions about the technical aspects of the alleged irregularities, according to a party spokesperson.

The Congress leader expressed support for Sidhant's work but stopped short of making any political promises. "Accountability must work both ways," Gandhi said during the meeting, according to his office.

Impact on Students and Parents

CBSE administers examinations to more than 24 million students annually across India. Any disruption to examination material supply chains directly affects school schedules and student preparation timelines.

Parents groups have voiced concern that procurement disputes could delay the upcoming Term 2 examinations scheduled for November. The Education Ministry has given no indication of any timetable changes.

Anuradha Sharma, president of the Delhi Parents Association, said families deserve assurance that examination materials are produced and distributed without financial manipulation. "We pay examination fees, we expect transparency," she said.

Political Reactions

The Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the Congress for amplifying what it called unverified allegations. Party spokesperson Rajesh Tiwari accused Gandhi of using a student investigation for political mileage ahead of state elections.

Congress officials rejected the criticism, pointing out that the government itself ordered the audit. The party framed its engagement with Sidhant as part of its commitment to institutional transparency.

The Aam Aadmi Party, which governs Delhi, called for faster resolution of the audit to prevent prolonged uncertainty for schools and families.

What Comes Next

The CAG audit will submit its preliminary findings by September 15. If irregularities are confirmed, affected contracts may be voided and criminal referrals could follow.

Sidhant said he will continue documenting procurement processes in other government bodies. He announced plans to launch a public database where citizens can submit tips about suspected irregularities in public spending.

Education Minister Prashant Kumar Bhansali is scheduled to address Parliament on the matter during the monsoon session beginning July 22. Lawmakers from multiple parties have requested a detailed briefing on both the alleged irregularities and the ministry's response timeline.