The Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) Class 12 re-evaluation window is set to open amid an escalating controversy over the board’s newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
Lakhs of students
have sought access to their answer sheets, reflecting widespread concern over this year’s evaluation process.
Over 11 Lakh Answer Sheets Requested
So far, more than 4 lakh students have applied for scanned copies of their answer sheets, which has amounted to more than 11 lakh answer book requests.
Many students are likely to stop at merely reviewing their copies, while others may further take the step of verification of marks or re-evaluation, depending on what they find in their answer sheets.
According to official CBSE figures:
- 4,04,319 students applied to obtain scanned copies of answer sheets
- 11,31,961 answer books were requested
- 8,98,214 answer books have already been digitally furnished
The number of applications reflects the scale of anxiety among students this year after the CBSE introduced the controversial OSM system for Class 12 board exams.
How Papers Are Evaluated Under OSM?
The controversy centres around OSM, the digital evaluation mechanism introduced by CBSE this year for Class 12 board exams. Under the system, evaluators assessed scanned copies of answer sheets instead of physical answer books. The board had described the transition as a move aimed at improving transparency, consistency and speed in evaluation.
However, following the declaration of results, students across social media began alleging discrepancies in marking and answer-sheet evaluation. Complaints ranged from unchecked answers and incorrect totals to blurred scans, missing pages and technical glitches while accessing answer sheets through the portal.
Several screenshots and videos circulated online claiming that portions of answer scripts appeared either partially evaluated or improperly marked, intensifying concerns around the digital assessment process.
CBSE Decreases Re-Evaluation Fee After Backlash
Amid mounting backlash, CBSE revised the fee structure for post-result services.
Under the updated rates:
- Scanned copy of answer sheet: Rs 100 per subject
- Verification of marks: Rs 100 per subject
- Re-evaluation: Rs 25 per question
Earlier, students were required to pay Rs 700 for scanned copies, Rs 500 for verification of marks and Rs 100 per question for re-evaluation.
The board also announced that re-evaluation charges would be refunded in cases where marks increase after review.
The rollback came after criticism from students and parents over the high costs being charged amid ongoing complaints regarding the OSM process and portal-related issues.
How Can Students Apply For Re-Evaluation
Students seeking re-evaluation will have to follow a multi-step process through the official CBSE portal.
Step 1: Obtain scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets.
Step 2: Review the scripts for unchecked answers, totalling errors, missing pages or any discrepancies in evaluation.
Step 3: If issues are identified, apply for verification of marks.
Step 4: Apply for re-evaluation of specific questions where they believe marks were incorrectly deducted.
CBSE has stated that marks may increase, decrease or remain unchanged after the review process, and the revised marks will be treated as final.
OSM Controversy
The debate surrounding this year’s Class 12 evaluation has widened beyond student marks alone, with questions being raised over the transparency and implementation of the OSM system.
In recent days, the board has also faced criticism over technical glitches, confusion during answer-sheet access, and concerns linked to digital infrastructure and vendor management.
The controversy gained further traction after a teenage hacker flagged vulnerabilities in a CBSE-linked portal.
CBSE later clarified that the actual evaluation system had not been compromised and that the material circulating online pertained to a testing platform containing sample data.
Political reactions followed as well, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning the transparency of the digital evaluation process and the contracts associated with the OSM system. CBSE rejected the allegations and defended the integrity of its evaluation framework.
With the re-evaluation window yet to open, thousands of students are now expected to apply in the coming days as scrutiny of the OSM system continues to intensify.
