CBSE portal hit by cyberattacks

The Central Board of Secondary Education said on June 2 that its Class 12 re-evaluation portal was hit by a series of cyberattack attempts on the day students began filing verification and re-evaluation requests. The board said the platform remained operational despite a denial-of-service attack and repeated attempts at unauthorised file access. By 3 p.m., CBSE said, more than 16,000 students had completed submissions. The episode landed as the Union education ministry was already reviewing the procurement of the board’s digital evaluation system. ### How big was the attack on the portal? CBSE said the most intense burst involved nearly 1.5 million hits within two minutes, which it described as part of a denial-of-service attempt aimed at disrupting access to the re-evaluation system. The board also reported more than one lakh attempts at unauthorised file access during the same period. (indianexpress.com) At 3 p.m. on June 2, CBSE said the portal was supporting more than 8,000 concurrent users while continuing to process applications. The board said its technical teams kept the system running and remained on high alert while monitoring the platform. ### What were students trying to do on the site? (indianexpress.com) The portal is the channel for Class 12 students seeking post-result services, including verification of marks and re-evaluation of answer sheets after obtaining copies of their evaluated scripts. CBSE had said on May 29 that the post-result activities portal would become operational from June 1, after a delay it said was meant to ensure a “transparent and glitch-free process.” (indianexpress.com) CBSE also said it had refined the platform based on student feedback, including extending session time limits. The board had shared a tele-counseling helpline and an email address for students facing difficulty with the process. ### Why was the portal already under scrutiny before the attacks? The Union education ministry sought a detailed report from CBSE on the contract awarded to Coempt Edu Teck for the board’s On-Screen Marking system, according to India Today and Hindustan Times, both citing officials or sources. (ndtv.com) The review covers tender conditions, bid evaluations, technical approvals and other procurement records tied to the digital evaluation system used in Class 12 examinations. (indianexpress.com) Hindustan Times reported that the ministry was examining alleged irregularities in the tendering process and cybersecurity vulnerabilities linked to the digital evaluation ecosystem. India Today reported that officials were reviewing whether procurement norms, eligibility criteria and procedural requirements were properly followed. (indiatoday.in) ### What has CBSE said about the broader controversy? CBSE has denied allegations of irregularities in the contract award and has said the procurement followed government norms, according to India Today and Hindustan Times. India Today reported that the board also rejected claims that the security of the evaluation portal had been compromised. (indiatoday.in) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told NDTV on May 29 that the government’s priority was to provide relief to students facing stress over the issue. NDTV reported that he said students would be able to raise queries online once the upgraded portal was fully operational. ### What happens next for students and officials? (indiatoday.in) The re-evaluation portal will remain open from June 2 to June 6 at midnight, The Indian Express reported, and CBSE said no offline applications or requests submitted after the deadline would be accepted. In parallel, the education ministry has asked for complete records related to the OSM tender and said action could follow if wrongdoing or negligence is established, according to India Today and Hindustan Times. (ndtv.com) (indianexpress.com)