CBSE Re-evaluation Boosts Class 12 Marks, Puts OSM System Under Scanner

Top Summary

• What happened: The CBSE released re-evaluation results for 1.39 lakh Class 12 students on June 21, with many reporting a substantial increase in their scores.
• Why it matters: These revisions follow widespread complaints about discrepancies under the new on-screen marking (OSM) system, implemented for the first time in 2026-27.
• What changes: Students' academic standings and college admissions are potentially altered due to significantly higher marks than initially awarded.
• Who is affected: Over 1.6 lakh candidates who applied for re-evaluation of their Class 12 CBSE board answer sheets nationwide.

Scores Jump After CBSE Class 12 Re-evaluation

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released re-evaluation results for 1.39 lakh Class 12 students on June 21, revealing significant score improvements for many candidates. This development comes after numerous students raised concerns about their initial marks.

Students across various regions reported a substantial increase in their marks. For instance, a student from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, saw their Physics score rise from 71 to 90 out of 100, primarily due to an increase in the theory paper marks from 41 to 60.

Widespread Revisions Across Subjects

Similar patterns were observed elsewhere. In a private school in West Bengal, at least six students experienced significant revisions in their History papers. One student's score surged from 74 to 97, while another's increased from 72 to 87 out of 100.

Further reports include a student in Odisha who received an increase of 12 marks in Chemistry and five marks in English. A student in Delhi also noted a five-mark increase in History after re-evaluation, underscoring a nationwide trend of improved scores.

OSM System Under Scrutiny After Discrepancies

The implementation of the new on-screen marking (OSM) system for the 2026-27 academic year has drawn considerable scrutiny. Students reported various discrepancies, including blurry answer sheets, missing pages, and even answer books evaluated against the marking scheme of a different set of questions.

An unnamed CBSE evaluator, who used the OSM technology, described the process as a "complete mess." The evaluator noted that the directive for using the OSM system was issued just two weeks before the evaluation was set to begin.

"It was a complete mess. Some answer scripts were not completely scanned and were rejected by evaluators. Teachers in far-flung areas have scanty knowledge of operating computers and they could have found it difficult to evaluate the answer scripts," the evaluator stated.

Impact on Academic Standing and Admissions

The revised scores have created complexities, particularly for students who had already completed college admissions based on their initial results. A teacher from a West Bengal school noted, "After the CBSE re-evaluation results came in, our school topper has changed."

With more than 1.6 lakh candidates having applied for re-evaluation, the CBSE has stated that the results for the remaining students will be released in phases soon. This ongoing process could further alter academic rankings and admission statuses across the country.

What to Watch Next

As the CBSE continues to release the pending re-evaluation results, attention will remain on how the board addresses the systemic issues highlighted by the OSM implementation. Future developments may include clarifications on the evaluation process and potential adjustments to ensure accuracy for upcoming examinations.