After CBSE, Punjab Board To Implement Digital Evaluation For 10th, 12th Exams 2026

The state government is set to introduce a major reform in board examination evaluations with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) planning to implement an on-screen marking system for the March 2026 exams. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced Punjab would be among the first state boards in the country to adopt a fully digital evaluation system, revolutionising answer sheet assessments, reported PTI.

Bains emphasised that this digital system allows teachers to assess scanned answer sheets on computers, with software that automatically calculates marks for quicker and more accurate results. The system proved effective during the September 2025 Supplementary Examinations, accurately evaluating 23,000 answer sheets. Motivated by these

results, PSEB will implement On-Screen Marking (OSM) for one subject of the matriculation examination this year, with plans for gradual expansion in future cycles.

Technical safeguards include unique QR codes on each page of the newly designed answer sheets, ensuring secure scanning and digital processing. Answer sheets will be scanned in a secure environment and uploaded to a centralised dashboard, where examiners will evaluate them online with automated totalling, structured marking schemes, and real-time progress monitoring. Bains described this reform as a comprehensive overhaul of the evaluation process, ensuring fairness, speed, and accuracy for every student.

PSEB chairman Dr Amarpal Singh emphasised the student-first vision behind the reform, reaffirming Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s commitment to integrity and efficiency. Singh noted that students will benefit from quicker result timelines, standardised marking, and complete transparency in evaluation, while teachers will enjoy a clutter-free digital interface ensuring consistency and systematic record-keeping. All technical and administrative preparations for the March 2026 rollout have been completed, reflecting Punjab’s dedication to its students.

This announcement comes after the CBSE declared on-screen marking system for class 12 board exams. As per the Board, the system will calculate the total score on its own, eliminating manual addition and reducing the chances of errors. Selected answer sheets may be reviewed by senior examiners for moderation, and the digital platform will maintain a detailed record of who evaluated each sheet and how long the process took.