The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is facing criticism over alleged glitches in its new on-screen marking system for Class 12 results [1].

The controversy centers on the reliability of technology-driven evaluations. Because board exam scores determine university admissions and career paths in India, any inconsistency in marking can significantly impact a student's future academic trajectory [2].

Students and parents reported unexpected changes in scores and inconsistencies in how answer sheets were assessed [2]. These reports have raised concerns regarding the transparency, and accountability of the digital process [2, 4]. The on-screen marking (OSM) system was designed to modernize evaluation, but critics said the transition has led to errors in the final marks awarded to candidates [2].

In response to the outcry, the board launched a re-evaluation and marks-verification portal for the 2026 results [1, 4]. The CBSE issued a detailed circular regarding the verification and re-evaluation framework two days after the results were declared [3]. This portal allows students to apply for a review of their marks to address the reported discrepancies [4].

There is a divide between the board's stance and the experiences of the students. Some reports indicate a fresh controversy has erupted due to the glitches [2], while the CBSE has backed the OSM process and issued fresh guidelines to maintain confidence in the system [3]. The board said that the digital framework is robust, despite the push for widespread re-evaluations [3].

This shift to digital marking represents a major change in how nationwide examinations are processed in India. The current row highlights the tension between the desire for administrative efficiency and the necessity of accuracy in high-stakes testing [2, 3].

“The controversy centers on the reliability of technology-driven evaluations.”

The friction between the CBSE's confidence in the on-screen marking system and the reported score discrepancies suggests a gap in the quality assurance of the digital transition. If a significant number of re-evaluations result in mark changes, it may force the board to reconsider the autonomy of the OSM system and implement more rigorous human oversight to maintain the integrity of the national certification process.