Mumbai

Firm under fire for CBSE marking row had been backed Nagpur university | Mumbai News


4 min readNagpurUpdated: Jun 8, 2026 07:28 PM IST

Months before a university-appointed panel began examining complaints over examination glitches and alleged irregularities in the tender process, the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) had formally defended the eligibility of Coempt Edu Teck Pvt. Ltd. for a key examination management contract, according to an official letter reviewed by The Indian Express.

In a communication dated March 30, 2026, addressed to National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) representative Ajit Singh, director of the Board of Examination and Evaluation, Manish Zodpe, had issued a point-by-point rebuttal to the allegations raised by the NSUI and justified the Tender Opening Committee’s decision to declare the company “technically qualified”.

The letter was issued in response to a complaint filed by the NSUI on February 7, which questioned Coempt’s credentials and eligibility for the examination department e-tender.

One of the principal allegations concerned the company’s reported involvement in the 2019 Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) examination controversy. NSUI had alleged that the firm, then operating as Globarena Technologies Pvt. Ltd., had been blacklisted and subsequently changed its name.

RTMNU, however, stated in the letter that the company had on October 30, 2019, submitted a valid certificate of incorporation from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, documenting its name change from Globarena Technologies Private Limited to Coempt Edu Teck Private Limited. On the blacklisting allegation, the university noted that the firm fulfilled tender requirements by furnishing a self-declaration, “Annexure-2 Not Blacklisted or Debarred”, and was therefore eligible for technical qualification.

The university had also rejected claims that Coempt lacked experience in pre- and post- examination result processing. While NSUI argued that the firm’s documents reflected work only in digital valuation and online examinations, RTMNU maintained that the contracts submitted specifically referred to a “pre- post result processing exams solution” and that pre- and post-examination work inherently included result processing.

Another dispute centred on a tender clause requiring bidders to demonstrate experience handling pre- and post-examination result processing for at least two lakh students over two consecutive years. NSUI had pointed to institutions cited by the company where student numbers were below the prescribed threshold.

Story continues below this ad

In its response, RTMNU acknowledged that the student strength at some of those institutions was lower but maintained that “the company successfully demonstrated valid experience handling over two lakh students at other locations continuously for two years”, thereby satisfying the eligibility criteria.

The university further clarified that agreements submitted as proof of experience need not disclose pricing details during technical evaluation, as financial rates are routinely concealed at that stage of the bidding process.
Based on the documents submitted by the bidder, the Tender Opening Committee had concluded that Coempt met the prescribed technical requirements and, therefore, declared the company “technically qualified”.

The March defence has acquired fresh significance amid continuing scrutiny of Coempt’s work at RTMNU. The company has faced criticism over examination-related errors, delays in results and discrepancies in marksheets, while a university-appointed committee continues to examine allegations related to both the firm’s performance and the tender process.

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads “The Safe Side” series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement)

Professional Background & Expertise

Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express

Experience: Started working in 2016

Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region.

Key focus areas include:

Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools.

Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights.

Public Safety & Health: Through her “The Safe Side” column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding “juice jacking,” “e-SIM scams,” and digital extortion.

Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur.

Education & Credentials
Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes:

MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University)

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University)

Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology

Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights

Recent Notable Coverage
Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability:

Cyber Security: “Lost money to a scam? Act within the ‘golden hour’ or risk losing it all” — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions.

Public Health: “From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged” — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response.

Governance & Conflict: “Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal” — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions.

Signature Beat
Ankita is best known for her ability to translate “technical jargon into human stories.” Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety.

Contact & Follow
X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar

Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com

  … Read More

Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)