11 lakh answer sheets, lingering OSM doubts: CBSE re-evaluation begins June 1

CBSE will begin Class 12 re-evaluation on June 1 after postponing the process amid OSM and portal-related concerns. The board said the delay was aimed at ensuring a glitch-free application process. The exercise is a key test of confidence in CBSE's evaluation system.

In Short

• CBSE Class 12 re-evaluation starts June 1 after delay for portal fixes
• Over 4 lakh students accessed answer scripts, sparking marking concerns
• Onscreen Marking System faces criticism over alleged scoring errors

The CBSE Class 12 re-evaluation process is set to begin on June 1, but this year, it arrives amid questions, scrutiny and growing unease among thousands of students and parents.

In an unusual move, the board pushed back the start of the process, saying the decision was taken to ensure a transparent and glitch-free experience on its Post-Result Activities portal.

The postponement came as CBSE found itself battling concerns over alleged marking discrepancies, criticism of its newly introduced Onscreen Marking System (OSM), and a payment portal issue that sparked confusion among applicants.

The controversy has unfolded on a massive scale. More than 4 lakh students have already sought access to their answer scripts, resulting in over 11 lakh answer book requests.

What is typically a routine post-results exercise has now evolved into a test of confidence in the board's evaluation system, with students poring over answer sheets and seeking answers about how their papers were assessed.

As the re-evaluation window finally opens, the focus is no longer just on revised marks. It is also on whether CBSE can address the concerns that have dominated the weeks since the Class 12 results were declared.

WHY DID CBSE POSTPONE THE RE-EVALUATION PROCESS?

Earlier, CBSE had announced that the verification and re-evaluation process would begin on May 29. However, the board later deferred the schedule, citing the need to ensure a transparent and glitch-free experience on its Post-Result Activities portal.

In an official notice, CBSE stated that the decision was taken to maintain the highest standards of evaluation and application handling, especially amid growing concerns raised by students regarding answer scripts and portal-related issues.

The revised re-evaluation process will now commence on June 1.

WHAT TRIGGERED THE CBSE OSM CONTROVERSY?

At the heart of the controversy is CBSE's Onscreen Marking System (OSM), a digital platform used by examiners to evaluate scanned copies of answer sheets.

Following the declaration of Class 12 results, several students who obtained copies of their answer scripts claimed they had discovered instances where correct answers allegedly received fewer marks than expected.

These complaints quickly gained traction on social media and among parent groups, raising questions about the reliability of the digital evaluation system.

The concerns became significant enough for the Ministry of Education to take notice.

IIT EXPERTS TO AUDIT CBSE'S IT SYSTEMS

Amid mounting complaints, a four-member expert team comprising specialists from IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur is expected to conduct a comprehensive review of CBSE's IT ecosystem.

The review aims to examine whether any technical issues may have contributed to the discrepancies reported by students.

The move comes even as CBSE has publicly rejected claims that the OSM portal may have been compromised.

DID A CYBERATTACK HIT THE RE-EVALUATION PORTAL?

Complicating matters further, the CBSE re-evaluation portal recently faced a major technical disruption.

According to sources, the payment system was targeted in a "malicious attack" that resulted in around 50 students gaining unauthorised access to altered payment displays.

In several cases, the portal reportedly showed highly irregular fee amounts, ranging from as little as Re 1 to nearly Rs 67,000–68,000. A source told PTI that the unusual fee displays appeared either as a prank or with malicious intent, affecting a limited number of students.

The incident prompted CBSE to tighten security measures before reopening the portal.

WHAT DID EDUCATION MINISTER DHARMENDRA PRADHAN SAY?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged the concerns raised by students and parents.

"This was the first time CBSE used the OSM process, and some discrepancies have come to light. I take responsibility for this and assure you that a solution will be found. We are working on it. We will not leave any student's query unaddressed," he said.

On May 28, the minister also told India Today TV that he expects nearly 20 percent of the students who accessed their answer sheets to proceed with re-evaluation requests.

Based on current figures, that could mean around 80,000 students formally seeking a review of their marks.

HOW MANY STUDENTS HAVE SO FAR APPLIED?

The scale of the post-result exercise is evident from the numbers. So far, more than 4 lakh students have applied to access copies of their answer scripts, resulting in over 11 lakh answer book requests. According to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, around 20 percent of these students, roughly 80,000 candidates, are expected to move ahead with re-evaluation requests.

While many students may choose to only review their scanned answer sheets, others could opt for verification of marks or re-evaluation if they believe there are discrepancies in the marking of their responses.

HOW DOES CBSE RE-EVALUATION ACTUALLY WORK?

A common misconception among students is that CBSE rechecks the entire answer sheet once a re-evaluation request is submitted. However, the board only reviews the specific questions selected by the candidate.

Before applying for re-evaluation, students are required to obtain a copy of their scanned answer script and compare their responses with the official marking scheme.

If they identify questions where marks may have been incorrectly awarded, overlooked, or calculated, they can flag only those questions during the application process. CBSE then re-evaluates the selected responses and makes corrections wherever necessary, rather than reassessing the entire answer book.

HOW CAN STUDENTS SEEK HELP?

To help students navigate the post-result process, CBSE has activated dedicated support channels for queries related to answer scripts, verification of marks, re-evaluation applications, and portal-related issues.

Students can contact the CBSE Tele-Counselling Helpline at 1800 11 8004 or write to resultcbse2026@cbseshiksha.in for assistance and clarification regarding post-result services.

THE BIG QUESTION: CAN CBSE REBUILD STUDENT TRUST?

The reopening of the re-evaluation process is more than just an administrative exercise. For thousands of students, it is a test of whether the board can reassure them that every mark has been awarded fairly.

The controversy surrounding the OSM system, allegations of incorrect marking, portal glitches, and cybersecurity concerns have turned what is usually a routine post-result process into a national conversation about transparency and accountability in board examinations.

As CBSE begins re-evaluation on June 1, students, parents, and educators will be watching closely. The outcome may not only determine revised scores for thousands of candidates but could also shape how digital evaluation systems are implemented and monitored in the years ahead.

- Ends