Members of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) protested Saturday outside the CBSE headquarters in Patparganj, East Delhi [1, 2, 3].

The demonstration centers on the board's transition to digital evaluation, highlighting concerns that technical irregularities could compromise student grades. Because the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) oversees millions of students, any perceived flaw in the marking system can trigger widespread academic anxiety.

The protesters focused their grievances on the On-Screen Marking (OSM) evaluation system [1, 2, 3]. The NSUI said there have been irregularities regarding the OSM tender and the subsequent evaluation process [1, 2, 3]. By staging the event at the headquarters, the group aimed to bring direct attention to the lack of transparency in how digital marks are processed and verified [1, 2, 3].

Digital marking was designed to streamline the grading process and reduce the time between exams and result declarations. However, the NSUI said the current implementation lacks the necessary oversight to ensure fairness for all candidates [1, 2, 3]. The group is calling for the board to release more detailed information regarding the tender process and the technical safeguards in place to prevent errors [1, 2, 3].

While the board has moved toward automation to increase efficiency, the protest underscores a growing tension between administrative modernization and student trust. The NSUI said transparency is the only way to resolve the current row and ensure that the evaluation system remains credible [1, 2, 3].

“The NSUI alleges that there have been irregularities regarding the OSM tender and the subsequent evaluation process.”

The protest reflects a broader skepticism toward the digitalization of public examinations in India. As educational boards shift from manual to on-screen marking to handle massive volumes of data, the demand for algorithmic transparency and audit trails becomes critical. If the CBSE cannot prove the integrity of its OSM system, it may face increasing legal challenges and public pressure to revert to hybrid marking models.