Controversy Surrounds CBSE's On-Screen Marking System Amid Student Allegations

The ongoing controversy surrounding the CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system has escalated as students allege they are being pressured to publicly defend the digital evaluation process. Complaints about discrepancies in exam results have surfaced, prompting a broader discussion on transparency and accountability within the education system. Videos from a PM SHRI school praising the OSM system have further fueled the debate. As students express concerns about their ability to question the system without fear of repercussions, the importance of trust and reliability in high-stakes examinations comes to the forefront. This situation highlights the challenges and implications of digital evaluation in India's educational landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 28, 2026, 12:25 IST

Ongoing Dispute Over CBSE's OSM System

The controversy regarding the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system shows no signs of abating. Following allegations of discrepancies in results, a new and serious issue has emerged. Students claim that school administrations are pressuring them to publicly defend this digital evaluation process online.

A post on the social media platform Reddit and a video shared by a PM SHRI school on 'X' (formerly Twitter) have intensified this administrative and diplomatic debate.

Student Claims of Coercion

In the post, a student stated, "My school teachers are forcing us to publicly post on Instagram that 'I (name) scored this percentage in this stream under CBSE, and I have no issues with OSM checking.'" The student further alleged that despite passing the exam, they felt "mentally traumatized."

PM SHRI School Videos Fueling the Debate

Around the same time, a PM SHRI central school in Jaipur shared two videos on 'X' featuring a student and a teacher praising the CBSE OSM system and highlighting positive experiences with digital evaluation.

The student, who scored 96%, mentioned in the video, "After receiving my result, I felt that the marking was fair and transparent. My estimated marks were almost identical to my final marks." They further asserted that their scores reflected the accuracy of the OSM checking system.

Benefits of OSM Highlighted

The student continued, "A significant advantage of OSM is that the checking process becomes more organized and less biased, as answers are evaluated digitally. This allows examiners to read them clearly, reducing the chances of errors in scoring and missed questions."

Another key benefit of the OSM system, as noted by the student, is the transparency it offers, which boosts students' confidence since marks are awarded solely based on what is written in the answer sheets. They stated, "Digital evaluation makes this system faster and more efficient, promoting fair checking and minimizing unnecessary mistakes."

Growing Concerns Amid Complaints

The timing of these videos has drawn attention online, especially as complaints regarding discrepancies in answer sheets continue to surface across various platforms.

A PM SHRI Hindi teacher, who praised the CBSE OSM system, shared that they worked as an 'AHE' (Additional Head Examiner) during the evaluation process and found the system extremely beneficial. In the video, they remarked, "In my opinion, it had only advantages. I did not see any negative impact. It also saved a lot of time."

Efficiency of the OSM System

The teacher explained that under the previous manual system, checking 25 answer sheets took about 9 to 10 hours. However, this time, the same number of copies were checked in just 5 hours.

Highlighting the environmental benefits, they added that the scanned answer sheets were clear and accurate. "I did not encounter any blurry or faint copies. I believe that every year, answer sheets should be checked digitally, as it minimizes any negative impact on students," they concluded, calling it a positive step by CBSE.

Understanding the OSM Controversy

CBSE's On-Screen Marking system is a digital checking process where scanned answer sheets are uploaded online and evaluated on-screen rather than manually. This system came under scrutiny when several students reported issues during the post-result verification process.

Students alleged problems such as blurry scanned pages, missing pages from answer sheets, and swapped answer scripts. In one instance, two students' answer sheets were exchanged, raising concerns about the handling and proper identification of scripts within the digital system.

A Broader Discussion on Trust

What began as complaints about discrepancies in answer sheets has now evolved into a significant discussion about transparency, accountability, and student trust.

The claims made in the Reddit post have not been independently verified. CBSE has also not issued any official statement regarding the allegations that schools are asking students to publicly support the OSM system.

For many students, the concern extends beyond just their scores; it also involves whether they can openly question a system without the pressure of having to publicly defend it. As digital evaluation becomes more prevalent in India's education system, this latest controversy underscores the importance of clear communication, technical reliability, and institutional accountability in high-stakes board examinations.