CBSE outlines new re-evaluation process after Class 12 result concerns over digital marking system

The Central Board of Secondary Education has introduced a revised post-result verification and re-evaluation framework for Class 12 students following the implementation of its new On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for board exam evaluation this year.

The detailed circular, issued on May 15 by Controller of Examinations Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, comes amid criticism from teachers and schools regarding technical difficulties during the digital evaluation process, including blurred answer scripts, server outages, and disruptions while checking papers remotely.

The OSM system was implemented for Class 12 board examinations this year, replacing the traditional physical evaluation process with scanned answer sheets uploaded on a secured digital platform for remote assessment.

However, evaluators had earlier reported multiple operational issues. Teachers claimed that several answer sheets appeared blurred after scanning, forcing them to zoom repeatedly while assessing responses. Some examiners reportedly managed to check only a few answer books per day because of technical slowdowns.

Others pointed to server crashes, unsaved edits, and evaluated answer scripts disappearing from the platform during the process.

Despite the complaints, the Board defended the digital evaluation mechanism in its circular, stating that the OSM framework improves transparency, minimizes manual errors, and ensures uniform assessment standards.

The Board said the system “eliminates totalling, posting, and uploading errors” and “ensures every answer is evaluated as per the marking scheme."

CBSE also maintained that extensive preparations were carried out before implementing the system nationwide. According to the Board, evaluators were trained through practice sessions and detailed operational guidelines.

CBSE declared the Class 12 results on May 13, recording an overall pass percentage of 85.20%. The figure is lower than 88.39% in 2025 and 87.98% in 2024, making it the lowest result percentage in the post-pandemic period.

The release of the circular follows growing discussions online regarding evaluation standards in subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.

Under the revised process, students will first be allowed to obtain scanned copies of their evaluated answer books online before applying for verification or re-evaluation.

“There is a possibility that even after taking so many steps students are not satisfied with their declared performance. In such a scenario, CBSE is providing a facility to the students to get their evaluated scanned answer book and themselves check the same,” the Board said.

The circular specifically advises students to verify whether the answer book has been scanned correctly and whether all pages, graphs, and supplementary sheets are clearly visible after receiving the scanned copies.

CBSE has also instructed students to compare their responses with the official marking scheme before applying for re-evaluation.

Students seeking scanned copies of evaluated answer books can apply online between May 19 and May 22, 2026, till 11:59:59 PM. The fee for obtaining scanned copies has been fixed at ₹700 per subject.

Applications for verification of issues and re-evaluation will be accepted from May 26 to May 29, 2026.

The Board has fixed the verification fee at ₹500 per answer book, while re-evaluation requests will cost ₹100 per question.

Applications will be accepted only online, and the Board stated that services will remain accessible even on holidays through the official CBSE portal.

Addressing criticism circulating on social media platform X, CBSE said the OSM framework was introduced to strengthen fairness, consistency, and objectivity in evaluation across subjects and regions.

The Board highlighted that stepwise marking remains a central feature of the digital assessment process and helps maintain standardized marking practices.

“Another key feature of the Board’s evaluation system has been the opportunity afforded for re-evaluation provided to students who may be dissatisfied with their results. This reflects the Board’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and equity,” the statement said.

CBSE added that corrections would only be made after expert verification if the claims raised by students are found valid. The Board clarified that its final decision in such cases would remain binding on all candidates.

Students have been advised to carefully examine their answer sheets and complete the re-evaluation process within the prescribed timeline.