CBSE OSM 2026: While the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) newly re-introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system continues to face backlash, the Asian News International (ANI) has reported that the Education Ministry sources indicate that the digital evaluation mechanism is likely to continue next year. The board is expected to take a final call after reviewing the process and feedback received this year, the report stated.
The On-Screen Marking system, implemented this year for Class 12 board examinations, replaced physical checking of answer sheets with digitally scanned copies evaluated on-screen by the examiners. Soon after the CBSE Class 12 result declaration, the social media was flooded with complaints from students that the scores were far below expectations.
Defending the evaluation system, senior ministry sources told ANI that the scale of issues being highlighted online was limited compared to the overall magnitude of the examination process. Asked whether the system would continue next year, the official indicated that CBSE is unlikely to abandon the mechanism entirely.
"I am sure it will continue. CBSE will assess the entire process and try to ensure that no child is inconvenienced. All systems are continuously being strengthened and made better," a senior official said to ANI on condition of anonymity.
More on OSM: CBSE Explains How Teachers Were Trained For On Screen Marking
The remarks come amid growing outrage among students who accessed scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets through the re-evaluation portal and alleged that several pages were blurred or unreadable. Students complained of login failures, blank pages, OTP delays, and trouble submitting applications, while CBSE maintained that the portal was functioning properly.
Also check - CBSE Students Flag OSM Glitches: Full Answers Shown as 'Blank Page', Correct MCQs Given 0.5
The board official also stated that "out of approximately 98 lakh scanned answer sheets, issues related to scanning were found in around 68,000 cases initially, which eventually came down to nearly 13,000." They further added that "for these 13,000 answer sheets, manual marking was done because the scans were unclear due to factors like light ink used by students."
Students also claimed that some answers were left unchecked, step marking was ignored in numerical subjects and marks awarded on pages did not match the final total reflected in the report cards.
More on Evaluation Issues: CBSE Says On-Screen Marking Efficient, Meets Student Backlash For Low Scores
Besides evaluation concerns, students complained of repeated technical glitches in the re-evaluation process. Parents have also reported unusual payment glitches on the official portal. According to the report, the official said that "there are some issues with the portal because nearly 1.5 lakh hits are coming at the same time. The date has also been extended."
Dismissing claims that the entire system had failed, the official argued that social media had amplified isolated complaints. "Social media amplifies issues. If students feel there is any discrepancy in marking, they should apply for re-evaluation," the official said.
Read more: CBSE Class 12 Students Report Technical Glitches On Re-evaluation Portal
The official further maintained that applications for verification and re-evaluation are filed every year and it was "premature" to conclude that the digital system had failed.
Also check - "Can't Read Own Writing": CBSE Students Share Blurred Answer Sheets Amid Row
The controversy intensified in recent days after several students shared screenshots of allegedly blurred answer sheets on social media platforms, questioning how evaluators assessed copies that students themselves struggled to read.
