11 lakh answer sheets under scanner as CBSE opens re-evaluation window

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) opened the Class 12 re-evaluation window on May 29, intensifying scrutiny of its evaluation process as lakhs of students continued to question the credibility and transparency of this year’s results.

The reopening of the re-evaluation process now marks another critical phase in a crisis that has shaken trust in India’s largest school examination system.

So far, more than 4 lakh students have applied to access their answer scripts, resulting in over 11 lakh answer book requests. However, it remains unclear how many students will eventually proceed with formal re-evaluation.

Many students are expected to stop after reviewing their answer sheets, while others may move ahead with verification of marks or re-evaluation depending on discrepancies they identify.

In an interview recently, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan indicated that nearly 20% of students may ultimately opt for re-evaluation, though the final numbers will become clear only in the coming days.

Over 11 lakh answer scripts requested

According to official CBSE figures:

• 4,04,319 students applied for answer scripts
• 11,31,961 answer books were requested
• 8,98,214 answer books have already been digitally furnished

The scale of requests reflects the anxiety and distrust surrounding this year’s evaluation process after CBSE introduced the controversial OSM system for Class 12 board examinations.

Under the new system, evaluators checked scanned digital copies of answer sheets instead of physical scripts. CBSE projected the move as an effort to make evaluation faster and more transparent.

But soon after the results were announced, social media platforms were flooded with complaints from students alleging unusually low marks, unchecked answers, incomplete evaluations, blurred scans and repeated portal crashes while accessing answer sheets.

The controversy intensified further when students and parents began posting screenshots online claiming that some answer sheets appeared partially evaluated or mismatched.

The cases involving students Vedant and Sanjana soon became symbolic of the wider unrest surrounding the evaluation process.

CBSE cuts re-evaluation fees after backlash

Facing mounting criticism, CBSE revised and significantly reduced the fee structure for post-result services.

Under the revised structure:

• Scanned copy of an answer sheet: ₹100 per subject
• Verification of marks: ₹100 per subject
• Re-evaluation: ₹ per question

Earlier, students were required to pay:

• ₹700 for scanned copies
• ₹500 for verification of marks
• ₹100 per question for re-evaluation

The board also announced that re-evaluation charges would be refunded if marks increase after review.

The rollback followed widespread outrage over the high fees students were being asked to pay while simultaneously dealing with technical glitches and concerns over evaluation accuracy.

How students can apply for re-evaluation

Students can apply through the official CBSE portal by following these steps:

Step 1: Obtain a scanned copy of the evaluated answer sheet.

Step 2: Review the script carefully to check whether all answers were evaluated correctly, totals were calculated properly, pages are complete and no answers were left unchecked.

Step 3: Apply for verification of marks if discrepancies are identified.

Step 4: Seek re-evaluation for specific questions where marks may have been unfairly deducted.

CBSE has clarified that marks may increase, decrease or remain unchanged after re-evaluation, and the revised score will be treated as final.

A controversy that refuses to fade

The controversy surrounding CBSE’s Class 12 results has now expanded far beyond marks alone.

Over the past week, the board has faced criticism over technical failures, concerns about OSM transparency, alleged cybersecurity vulnerabilities, confusion around answer-sheet access and questions regarding vendor management.

The row escalated further after a teenage hacker’s viral claims about vulnerabilities in a CBSE-linked portal triggered alarm online. CBSE later clarified that the actual evaluation system had not been compromised and that the screenshots circulating on social media were linked to a testing platform containing sample data.

Political reactions followed soon after, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning the transparency of the digital evaluation process and the contract associated with the OSM system. CBSE rejected the allegations and defended the integrity of its evaluation mechanism.

For millions of students, however, the issue is no longer only about marks. It has increasingly become a question of trust.

As the re-evaluation window opens today, thousands of students are expected to log in once again, hoping a second review of their answer sheets will finally provide clarity after weeks of confusion, anxiety and controversy.