CBSE's OSM Under Fire: Is the Digital Evaluation System Really a Success?

Top Summary

• What happened: Concerns are mounting regarding CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 exams, despite positive endorsements surfacing.
• Why it matters: The debate questions the preparedness for digital evaluation and whether the system's benefits outweigh its implementation issues.
• What changes for people: Students and parents face uncertainty about the accuracy and fairness of the marking process, affecting college admissions and future opportunities.
• Who is affected: Class 12 students, parents, schools, CBSE, and technology partners are all impacted by the ongoing controversy.

The Battle for the Narrative

The CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system is facing scrutiny. Class 12 students and parents have raised complaints about scanned answer sheets and discrepancies in marks.

Simultaneously, videos of principals praising OSM as a "transformative reform" have emerged. This contrast raises questions about transparency.

Who Benefits from the OSM Story?

CBSE benefits from portraying OSM as a success, defending it from scrutiny. Schools benefit because they invested in the system. Technology partners benefit when the focus is on innovation.

However, unresolved concerns risk being overshadowed by positive narratives. Students and parents struggle to have their voices heard.

India Today Digital found no official CBSE directive for schools to endorse OSM. However, the timing and similar language of endorsements raise questions.

A Premature Rollout?

Educators suggest OSM's story is more complex than portrayed. Systems need institutional preparedness, stakeholder understanding, and user trust to succeed.

A Mumbai principal said schools encountered similar systems during Covid, but the idea was dropped. The principal stated:

"We were trained for OSM marking for Class 9 during Covid, but the system suggested multiple glitches and the idea was eventually dropped by the Board. It was not supposed to be implemented this year. We were surprised ourselves. It was a lesson many of us were not prepared for."

 

The scale and speed of OSM implementation may have outpaced the ecosystem's readiness.

Preparedness Concerns

A Bhubaneswar principal echoed preparedness concerns. The principal mentioned:

"We were not a part of the training exercise held by the Board. The OSM for Class 12 was not on the cards for 2026."

 

Teachers also pointed to operational issues. A DAV school teacher had predicted result delays due to glitches.

The teacher informed in April:

"The OSM has been facing frequent portal slowdowns, login and server issues, technical breakdowns during checking, delays in loading scanned answer sheets, and repeated interruptions in examiners' workflow..."

 

Introducing a new system is easier than ensuring everyone is ready. Reforms are judged by performance under pressure, not design documents.

Trust Gap

Parents are increasingly questioning trust, not just technology. They are skeptical of principals' endorsements.

One parent whose child has applied for re-evaluation said:

"I have seen some videos of principals praising the on-screen marking. It is a cheap tactic whether the board has asked them to comply or the schools feel the need to do so on their own. It is the student and their parents who are left to suffer."

 

Students share similar sentiments. Confidence in the system is crucial.

Swayam Mohanty, a Class 12 student from Delhi, said:

"I don't know if my school has also been directed to put up a video, or whether there is a narrative toolkit distributed by the CBSE. There are multiple questions that we have and we don't know whom to ask. Our results have become a political tool."

 

The issue is whether families can trust the process. Board scores influence admissions and scholarships.

Social Contract

Every reform has a social contract. Institutions promise transparency and accountability in return for trust.

The perception is that OSM's defense began before all questions were answered. Positive testimonials amplified this.

The CBSE Class 12 OSM row involves both facts and narrative. The process may improve, but trust is paramount.

For an exam system affecting millions, trust matters more than success stories.

What to Watch Next

Future developments will likely focus on addressing technical glitches and rebuilding trust with students and parents. CBSE's response to re-evaluation requests and efforts to improve transparency will be critical.