CBSE opens Class 12 re-evaluation process amid OSM concerns

The Central Board of Secondary Education has started the Class 12 re-evaluation and verification process for the 2026 board exams, as concerns over the newly implemented digital evaluation system continue to grow among students and parents.

The review process opened on May 29 after an unusually large number of students sought access to their evaluated answer sheets following the declaration of results.

CBSE data showed that more than 4 lakh students applied for scanned copies of answer books, with requests covering over 11.31 lakh answer scripts. Nearly 8.98 lakh copies have already been shared online.

The surge in applications comes in the backdrop of criticism surrounding the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system introduced this year for Class 12 examinations. Under the system, examiners assessed scanned digital answer sheets instead of physical copies.

Although the board introduced the digital mechanism to streamline evaluation and improve transparency, students reported multiple irregularities after results were announced.

Several candidates alleged that portions of their answers were left unchecked, marks were added incorrectly, and some scanned pages appeared blurred or incomplete.

The complaints quickly spread across social media platforms, where students posted screenshots of answer sheets and questioned the accuracy of the evaluation process.

In response to mounting criticism, CBSE revised the charges for post-result services. Students will now pay ₹100 per subject for obtaining scanned answer sheets and verification of marks, while re-evaluation fees will be calculated per question.

The earlier fee structure had drawn objections from students and parents, especially amid ongoing concerns over technical glitches and alleged evaluation errors. CBSE has also said that re-evaluation charges will be refunded in cases where marks increase after review.

To apply for re-evaluation, students are first required to obtain scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets through the official CBSE portal.

After examining the copies, candidates can request verification for issues such as totaling mistakes or marking discrepancies. They may also seek re-evaluation for specific answers where they believe marks were not awarded correctly.

The board said revised marks after re-evaluation could either increase, decrease, or remain unchanged, and the updated score would be treated as final.

In an earlier notification, CBSE had said the portal for verification and re-evaluation would open on May 29.

A bulletin issued on May 26 also confirmed that scanned copies were being sent to students through the official portal and registered email IDs, with pending requests expected to be cleared by May 27.

Despite the launch of the process, students continue to raise concerns online regarding blurred scans, incomplete answer sheets, and missing pages linked to the OSM system. CBSE has not yet announced whether the re-evaluation schedule will be extended.

The board reiterated that the post-result mechanism follows a step-by-step structure in which students must first obtain scanned answer sheets before applying for verification or re-evaluation.

According to figures released by CBSE, the board received 404,319 applications for scanned copies of answer sheets, with students requesting a total of 1,131,961 answer books. Out of these, 898,214 answer sheets have already been shared digitally with candidates.

Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged lapses in the process during a review meeting at the CBSE headquarters in Delhi.

“Certain discrepancies have come to our notice, and I take responsibility for them. These issues will be rectified, and appropriate solutions will be worked out. We are all working on this. We will not leave any student’s question unresolved,” Pradhan said.