CBSE Launches On-Screen Marking System for Class 12 Board Exam Evaluation

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that it will introduce an On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for evaluating Class 12 answer sheets starting with the 2026 board examinations, which commence on February 17. The decision, communicated to affiliated school principals on February 9, is aimed at enhancing efficiency and transparency in the assessment process.

CBSE conducts Class 10 and 12 examinations each year in India and across 26 countries, serving nearly 46 lakh students. While the evaluation of Class 12 answer books will shift to a digital format from 2026, Class 10 answer scripts will continue to be assessed through the existing physical mode.

In a letter to principals, Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj outlined several expected benefits of the OSM system. These include the elimination of totalling errors, automated coordination to reduce manual intervention, and faster evaluation with broader participation from teachers. He noted that the digital system would save transportation time and costs, allowing teachers to remain at their schools and carry on with regular duties.

Bhardwaj also stated that post-result verification of marks would no longer be necessary, manpower requirements for verification would decrease, and schools worldwide would have the opportunity to participate in the evaluation process. He described OSM as an environmentally sustainable approach to assessment.

To facilitate the transition, CBSE has directed schools to ensure adequate infrastructure, such as a computer lab with a Public Static IP, devices running Windows 8 or higher with at least 4 GB RAM, updated browsers, Adobe Reader, reliable internet connectivity of at least 2 Mbps, and uninterrupted power supply.

The board will support the rollout by enabling teachers with Online Affiliated School Information System (OASIS) IDs to access and familiarise themselves with the platform. It will conduct multiple practice sessions, organise training programmes, establish a call centre for troubleshooting, and release instructional videos. Detailed guidelines for each stage of the process will be shared separately to ensure smooth implementation.

CBSE clarified that the communication is intended to inform schools about the decision and encourage necessary preparations ahead of the 2026 implementation.

Welcoming the move, Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL Public School in Delhi, described it as a positive step that would reduce human errors and speed up the evaluation process. She noted that teachers would receive training prior to the rollout and would no longer need to travel to evaluation centres, saving time and effort. However, she also expressed concern that prolonged screen time under the OSM system could affect teachers’ wellbeing.