The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the introduction of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for the evaluation of Class 12 answer books from the upcoming 2026 board exams starting from February 17.
The move is aimed at improving “efficiency and transparency” in the assessment process. (file image)The move is aimed at improving “efficiency and transparency” in the evaluation process, according to a CBSE communication sent to principals of all affiliated schools on February 9.
The board said it conducts class 10 and 12 exams annually in India and 26 countries, catering to around 46 lakh students, and is now transitioning to digital assessment for senior secondary exams, while “assessment of class 10 answer books will continue in physical mode as before 2026.”
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In a letter to school principals, CBSE’s Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bharadwaj outlined several expected benefits of the digital marking system, including “total error elimination,” “automatic adjustments, reduced manual intervention” and “quick assessment with extensive teacher participation.”
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He said the new system would “save transportation time and costs” and enable teachers to “remain in their schools and perform regular duties.”
He added that “post-result verification of marks will no longer be required,” as well as “reducing manpower requirements for verification” as well as providing “an opportunity to contribute to the assessment of all schools” and “involvement of teachers from all affiliated schools worldwide”.
He describes OSM as “environmentally sustainable digital assessment”.
To ensure readiness, CBSE has asked schools to maintain necessary infrastructure, including a “computer lab with public static IP,” devices with “Windows Operating System (OS) 8 or above, 4 GB RAM or higher,” updated browsers, Adobe Reader, “reliable Internet connection (minimum 2 Mbps),” and uninterrupted power supply.
The board said it will support the change by allowing teachers with Online Affiliated School Information System (OASIS) IDs — CBSE’s digital portal used for school and teacher records — to access and familiarize themselves with the system.
It will conduct “multiple dry runs for practice”, organize training programmes, set up a call center for troubleshooting and release instructional videos. It added that “detailed instructions will be issued separately for each activity to ensure timely action by all stakeholders.”
Contacted CBSE The intention was to inform schools of the decision and request necessary preparations ahead of the rollout of on-screen marking for Class 12 exams in 2026.
Delhi-based ITL Public School Principal Sudha Acharya said, “This is a wonderful initiative by CBSE. It will reduce human error in the evaluation process. Teachers will be trained by CBSE before the commencement of OSM for class 12. This will enable faster evaluation and teachers will not have to spend time in their schools and teachers themselves.” Assessment Center.”
However, he added that because of OSM, “there is a fear that teachers will spend a lot of time on screens and this could affect their well-being.”
