The Central Board of Secondary Education opened the Class 12 re-evaluation window amid growing backlash over its On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. The digital evaluation model, introduced to improve efficiency and transparency, now faces serious questions after widespread complaints from students and parents.
CBSE data shows that 4,04,319 students have applied for scanned copies of their answer sheets. These applications have generated 11,31,961 answer book requests. The board has already provided 8,98,214 answer sheets digitally.
It remains unclear how many students will move ahead with verification or re-evaluation. Many are expected to stop after checking their scripts. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that around 20 per cent of students may opt for re-evaluation, though the final figure will emerge only after the process continues.
OSM system triggers nationwide concern
CBSE introduced the OSM system this year. Under this model, evaluators checked scanned copies instead of physical answer sheets. The board projected the shift as a step towards faster and more transparent evaluation.
Soon after the results, complaints surfaced across the country. Students reported low marks, unchecked answers, incomplete evaluation and blurred or unclear scanned pages. Many also faced repeated portal crashes while trying to access their answer sheets.
Social media amplified the issue further. Students and parents shared screenshots claiming mismatched or partially marked answers. The controversy quickly grew into a wider debate on the reliability of digital evaluation in board exams.
CBSE cuts fees after backlash
CBSE revised its fee structure after mounting criticism. It now charges Rs 100 per subject for scanned copies and Rs 100 per subject for verification of marks. Re-evaluation costs apply per question. Earlier, the charges stood at Rs 700 for scanned copies, Rs 500 for verification and Rs 100 per question for re-evaluation.
The board also said it will refund re-evaluation fees if marks increase after review.
How students can apply
Students must first download scanned copies of their answer sheets from the CBSE portal. They should check whether all answers were evaluated, totals are correct and pages are complete. If they find issues, they can apply for verification of marks. They can also request re-evaluation for specific questions.
CBSE has clarified that marks may increase, decrease or remain unchanged after re-evaluation. The revised score will be final.
Trust deficit expands beyond marks
The controversy now extends beyond examination results. Technical glitches, transparency concerns, and confusion over answer-sheet access have deepened distrust in the system.
A viral claim by a teenage hacker alleging vulnerabilities in a CBSE-linked portal added to the debate. The board later clarified that no evaluation system was breached and that circulating screenshots came from a test platform with sample data.
As the re-evaluation window opens, thousands of students are logging in again. Many now hope the second review will finally bring clarity after weeks of confusion and disruption.