CBSE rejects allegations of errors in Class 12 OSM system, details evaluation process

Concerns have been raised by students and parents over the Class 12 results of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), with some alleging that answer sheets under On-Screen Marking (OSM) system were not scanned properly due to inadequate preparation and limited time.

Responding to these claims, the CBSE described them as “factually incorrect.” In a post on X, the Board said that every stage of the OSM system, including scanning, quality checks, marking, and evaluation, was carried out according to established procedures under constant supervision. “CBSE is a responsible national institution committed to ensuring fairness, transparency, and integrity in the examination and evaluation process,” it added.

The Ministry of Education also weighed in, stating that OSM is not new for CBSE and that special attention was given to maintain marking accuracy. School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar explained that OSM was first introduced in 2014, reintroduced this year, and is internationally recognised, used by boards such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge. Kumar highlighted that OSM allows evaluation to be conducted beyond the geographical limits of regional offices, improving flexibility and transparency.

Out of 98 lakh Class 12 answer sheets evaluated this year, more than 13,000 were manually checked due to legibility issues caused by very light ink, despite repeated scanning. Marks for these sheets were entered manually, ensuring that no student received fewer marks than deserved. Three levels of security were followed during the evaluation process to maintain transparency and fairness.

CBSE has also reduced fees for re-evaluation and verification of answer sheets. Viewing a sheet will now cost ₹100 instead of ₹700, verification ₹100 instead of ₹500, and rechecking an individual answer ₹25 per question. If marks increase after re-evaluation, the fee paid will be refunded. Kumar emphasised that student welfare and mental well-being take priority over fees.

The Board had declared Class 12 results on May 13, with over 85 per cent of candidates clearing the exams. The overall pass rate fell by over three per cent compared to last year. Private school representatives welcomed CBSE’s reforms, including technological interventions like OSM, citing the benefits of greater transparency, affordability, and efficiency.

Bharat Arora, President of the Action Committee of Unaided Private Recognised Schools, said schools and teachers worked extensively to ensure smooth implementation and stressed the importance of structured feedback from evaluators, schools, and students for future reforms.