New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued an official clarification regarding the controversy of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) evaluation system. The statement came after several students, parents and teachers raised concerns on social media over low marks in subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Many students claimed that, despite performing well in competitive exams such as JEE Mains, they failed in many subjects or scored lower than expected in the CBSE examinations. It raised many questions about the transparency and accuracy of the newly implemented digital evaluation process.
CBSE defended it by saying the On-Screen Marking system ensures greater transparency, consistency, and proper step-wise marking, reducing manual errors during checking, and also ensures that the evaluation process follows strict guidelines to maintain fairness for all students.
The controversy intensified after the overall Class 12 pass percentage dropped to 85.2%, reportedly the lowest in the past seven years. Several education experts believe stricter checking patterns and the transition to On-Screen Marking may have contributed to the decline in scores this year.
CBSE’s Defence of the OSM System
CBSE has announced that the re-evaluation and verification process for class 12 results will begin from May 19, 2026. Students who believe that their marks are lower than expected will first need to apply for photocopies of their checked answer sheets, and then they can request verification and re-evaluation for specific questions.
Re-Evaluation & Redressal Process
The board has advised students to complete the application process within the given deadlines and submit the required fees on time. CBSE also said that if any discrepancy is found during the re-evaluation process, the necessary correction will be made.
Meanwhile, students who have failed in one subject may still get a chance to appear for compartment examinations, depending on the overall eligibility criteria set by the board. CBSE is likely to release the complete re-evaluation schedule, fee details, and application guidelines soon on its official website.
