Last Updated: 5 June 2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is facing scrutiny following the implementation of its On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for the 2026 Class 12 board examinations. Introduced as part of CBSE’s digital evaluation initiative, the system was intended to improve consistency in assessment, reduce manual calculation errors, and streamline the evaluation process across subjects.
Following the declaration of results on 13 May 2026, a significant number of candidates applied for scanned copies of answer scripts, verification of marks, and re-evaluation. Concerns raised by students regarding evaluated answer sheets have since led to parliamentary discussions, legal proceedings, and a government review of aspects of the system’s implementation.
The developments are particularly important because Class 12 marks continue to play a role in admission eligibility for IITs and several other higher education institutions during the 2026 admission cycle.
Key Takeaways
- CBSE introduced a fully digital On-Screen Marking system for Class 12 examinations in 2026.
- More than 18 lakh candidates were assessed through the new process.
- Re-evaluation and answer-book requests increased after the declaration of results.
- Questions have been raised regarding evaluation accuracy, procurement procedures, and technical preparedness.
- IIT authorities have retained existing admission eligibility criteria.
- Government inquiries and court proceedings remain ongoing.
Overview of the Evaluation System
Under the OSM process, physical answer books were scanned and uploaded to a digital platform, allowing examiners to evaluate responses remotely.
Examination Snapshot
|
Particulars |
Reported Figure |
|
Class 12 Candidates |
Over 18 lakh |
|
Answer Books Scanned |
98.6 lakh |
|
Evaluators Engaged |
More than 77,000 |
|
Subjects Covered |
116 |
|
Scripts Evaluated Manually |
Around 13,000 |
Source: CBSE examination-related records and media reports published during the 2026 evaluation cycle.
Retrieved: June 2026.
According to reports, evaluators participating in a pilot exercise conducted in January 2026 raised concerns about platform stability and workflow-related issues before the nationwide rollout.
Rise in Re-evaluation Requests
CBSE announced Class 12 results on 13 May 2026. Following the declaration, a large number of students requested access to scanned answer books and applied for re-evaluation.
Reported Statistics
|
Indicator |
Reported Figure |
|
Overall Pass Percentage |
85.20% |
|
Requests for Scanned Copies |
More than 4 lakh |
|
Answer Books Requested |
More than 11 lakh |
|
Initial Re-evaluation Applications |
Over 70,000 |
Reporting Period: May–June 2026
Source Context: Figures were reported by national media outlets citing CBSE-related data released after the result announcement.
Retrieved: June 2026.
Students who accessed scanned answer books reported concerns including blurred pages, allegedly unchecked responses, and discrepancies in mark allocation. In response, CBSE reduced the fees for obtaining scanned copies and requesting re-evaluation.
Procurement Questions and Parliamentary Review
Public discussion expanded after allegations were raised regarding aspects of the procurement process used for the OSM platform.
A Class 12 student, Sarthak Sidhant, reviewed publicly available procurement documents and published observations regarding changes in tender conditions. According to media reports, these findings were later discussed before a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
|
Matter |
Current Status |
|
Tender-related allegations |
Under review |
|
Procurement inquiry |
Ongoing |
|
Parliamentary discussions |
Reported |
|
Final findings |
Awaited |
No official inquiry has released final conclusions regarding procurement-related allegations. These matters remain subject to ongoing review.
Technical and Cybersecurity Concerns
Reports indicate that technical experts from IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur reviewed aspects of the CBSE re-evaluation portal before its launch. According to Ministry of Education and Press Information Bureau (PIB) communications, corrective measures were implemented after technical concerns were identified.
Separately, cybersecurity concerns were reported regarding the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced results platform. Authorities stated that corrective action was taken after the issue was identified.
Impact on JEE Advanced Admissions
The issue has drawn attention from engineering aspirants because board examination performance remains part of the admission framework.
Current Admission Position
|
Requirement |
Status |
|
JEE Advanced Qualification |
Mandatory |
|
Class 12 Eligibility Criteria |
Applicable |
|
One-Time Relaxation Request |
Not Approved |
|
JoSAA Counselling Registration |
Allowed |
|
Marks Update Facility |
Available |
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) and IIT Roorkee have stated that candidates awaiting revised CBSE scores may participate in counselling and update their marks if changes are approved through re-evaluation. However, the eligibility criteria outlined in the JEE (Advanced) 2026 Information Brochure continue to apply.
Timeline of Key Developments
|
Date |
Event |
Status |
|
January 2026 |
OSM pilot exercise |
Historical |
|
13 May 2026 |
CBSE results declared |
Confirmed |
|
May–June 2026 |
Re-evaluation requests submitted |
Confirmed |
|
June 2026 |
Government review initiated |
Ongoing |
|
June 2026 |
Court proceedings continue |
Ongoing |
|
Future |
Inquiry findings |
Pending |
Why the Issue Matters
The developments surrounding the OSM system extend beyond examination results. They raise broader questions about digital assessment reforms, procurement oversight, cybersecurity preparedness, and grievance redressal mechanisms in large-scale public examinations.
For candidates, the issue is significant because board examination marks continue to influence admission eligibility and academic progression. The outcome of ongoing reviews may also shape future discussions on digital evaluation systems in India’s education sector.
Safety Advisory
- Use only official CBSE, JEE Advanced, and JoSAA portals.
- Never share OTPs, passwords, or login credentials.
- Avoid unofficial agents claiming guaranteed score revisions or admissions.
- Verify payment requests through official platforms before proceeding.
Sources Reviewed
- CBSE examination notifications and result statistics
- JEE (Advanced) 2026 Information Brochure
- JoSAA 2026 Business Rules
- Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases
- Court records and publicly available judgments
- Reports from national news organisations published between May and June 2026
Editorial Disclaimer
This article is based on official documents, court records, government communications, and publicly reported information available as of 5 June 2026. Certain matters, including procurement-related allegations and inquiry findings, remain under review. Readers should verify the latest developments through official CBSE, JEE Advanced, JoSAA, court, and government notifications. In case of any discrepancy, official notifications and portal updates shall prevail.