Last Updated: June 24, 2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) adopted the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for the evaluation of Class 12 board examination answer sheets during the 2026 examination cycle. The digital assessment framework was introduced to improve efficiency, standardize marking practices, and streamline the evaluation process across a large number of answer scripts.
Following the announcement of results, some students and parents raised concerns regarding their scores. According to media reports published during June 2026, several candidates who reviewed copies of their evaluated answer sheets alleged that certain responses had either not been assessed or had received lower marks than expected. These reports led to wider discussions about the implementation of digital evaluation systems and the safeguards needed to ensure accuracy and transparency.
While individual cases do not establish the overall performance of the OSM system, they have attracted public attention because of the role board examination results play in admissions, scholarships, and future academic opportunities.
Reported Student Cases
According to reports published by national media organizations, including The Indian Express, India Today, The Times of India, and other outlets during June 2026, several students highlighted concerns regarding the evaluation of their answer scripts.
|
Student |
Subject(s) |
Reported Concern |
Reported Outcome |
|
Sarthak Gupta (Jammu) |
Physics, Chemistry |
Alleged that some correct responses received no marks |
Marks reportedly increased after re-evaluation |
|
Harshit Gupta (Gurgaon) |
Physical Education |
Claimed certain answers received no credit |
Limited revision reported |
|
Argam Jain |
English |
Alleged that some answers were unchecked or evaluated under incorrect questions |
Concerns raised during review |
|
Kushal Jain (Delhi) |
Chemistry |
Claimed parts of the answer sheet were left unassessed |
Score reportedly revised from 79 to 100 |
|
Praveen Yadav (West Bengal) |
Mathematics |
Reported an increase in marks after review |
Gain of 9 marks reported |
Source Context: The cases above are based on media reports published during June 2026 and represent individual accounts reported during the re-evaluation process.
Several of these cases received attention because re-evaluation resulted in changes to the final scores. Students and parents subsequently called for greater clarity regarding how answer sheets were initially assessed and how revisions were determined.
Technical Issues Raised by Students
A recurring concern involved the quality of scanned answer sheets used during digital evaluation.
Students who reviewed their scanned scripts alleged that certain diagrams, calculations, and handwritten responses appeared blurred or incomplete in the digital copies.
|
Reported Issue |
Potential Impact |
|
Blurred diagrams |
Difficulty assessing visual responses |
|
Incomplete scans |
Portions of answers may not be visible |
|
Faint handwriting |
Reduced readability during evaluation |
|
Alleged missing pages |
Students claimed some responses did not appear in the digital record |
As of June 24, 2026, publicly available CBSE documents had not provided consolidated data regarding the number of answer scripts potentially affected by such issues.
Human Oversight in Digital Evaluation
The controversy has also highlighted the continuing role of human evaluators within a technology-assisted assessment system.
Education experts and teacher groups have noted that digital evaluation requires examiners to review large volumes of answer scripts on-screen. Some experts have suggested that prolonged screen-based work may contribute to fatigue, particularly during peak evaluation periods.
At the same time, supporters of the OSM framework argue that standardized digital evaluation can help reduce inconsistencies and improve uniformity across a large number of answer sheets.
Standardization and Alternative Answers
The discussion has also raised questions about how highly structured marking systems handle answers that differ from model responses but still demonstrate conceptual understanding.
|
Evaluation Method |
Primary Characteristic |
|
Traditional Assessment |
Greater examiner discretion |
|
On-Screen Marking |
Higher standardization |
|
Ongoing Discussion |
Balancing consistency and academic judgment |
Education specialists have observed that descriptive subjects may allow more than one valid approach to an answer. Consequently, discussions continue regarding how digital evaluation systems can maintain consistency while also recognizing academically acceptable alternatives.
CBSE Clarification on Internal Choice Questions
CBSE has clarified another issue that contributed to confusion among some students reviewing their marks.
According to CBSE’s Know About On-Screen Marking (OSM) guidance document and post-result notifications issued during the 2026 examination cycle, when a student answers both options in a question containing internal choice, only the answer receiving the higher score is included in the final total.
|
Scenario |
CBSE Rule |
|
One option attempted |
Marks counted normally |
|
Both options attempted |
Higher-scoring answer retained |
|
Lower-scoring answer |
Excluded from final calculation |
As a result, some candidates who manually added marks from every attempted answer reported totals that differed from their final score. CBSE stated that such differences should not automatically be interpreted as totalling errors.
Why the Issue Matters
Board examination results influence admissions, scholarship opportunities, entrance examinations, and academic planning. As educational institutions increasingly adopt digital assessment tools, maintaining confidence in the evaluation process remains an important policy consideration.
The discussion surrounding the 2026 OSM implementation has highlighted broader questions about transparency, quality assurance, and the balance between technological efficiency and human oversight in examination systems.
Fraud and Safety Advisory
Students and parents should access answer-sheet copies, verification services, and re-evaluation facilities only through official CBSE platforms.
Important precautions include:
- Never share OTPs, passwords, or login credentials.
- Avoid unofficial websites promising mark increases or guaranteed corrections.
- Verify payment requests through official channels before making transactions.
- Be cautious of calls, emails, or messages claiming special access to CBSE systems.
- Report suspicious communications to appropriate authorities.
CBSE does not authorize private agents to guarantee score revisions or re-evaluation outcomes.
Official Sources
The article is based on information available from:
- CBSE: Know About On-Screen Marking (OSM)
- CBSE: Notice for Post Result Declaration Facilities for Students of Class XII
- CBSE: Verification of Issues Observed & Re-evaluation – Class XII Guidance for Students and Parents
- Statements issued by the Ministry of Education during the 2026 OSM controversy
- National media reports published between June 2026 and June 24, 2026
Conclusion
The debate surrounding CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system during the 2026 Class 12 examination cycle has drawn attention to both the potential advantages and challenges of digital evaluation. Reported cases involving score revisions, concerns about scanned answer sheets, and questions regarding assessment procedures have prompted calls for greater transparency and quality assurance.
Students seeking updates regarding evaluation procedures, re-evaluation outcomes, or official clarifications should rely on CBSE notifications, circulars, and authorized communication channels for the most current information.
Editorial Disclaimer
This article is based on official CBSE guidance documents, Ministry of Education statements, and publicly reported cases available as of June 24, 2026. Examination policies, procedures, and related rules may be revised. Official notifications, circulars, court orders, and portal updates shall prevail in the event of any discrepancy. Readers are advised to verify the latest information through official CBSE sources before relying on any procedural details.