New Delhi [India], February 12 (HBTV): In a significant shift in evaluation methodology, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to reintroduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 Board examinations beginning in 2026, aiming to enhance efficiency, transparency and accuracy in the assessment process.
On-Screen Marking is a digital system under which scanned copies of students’ answer sheets are evaluated by teachers on computers, with marks calculated automatically through software.
In a circular dated February 9 addressed to principals and heads of all CBSE-affiliated schools, the Board said that while Class 12 answer books will be evaluated through the digital system from 2026, Class 10 answer books will continue to be evaluated in physical mode for now.
CBSE will conduct the Secondary and Senior Secondary Board Examinations 2026 for students of more than 31,000 affiliated schools in India and 26 countries abroad from February 17 to April 10.
Around 46 lakh students are expected to appear for the examinations at more than 8,074 centres across the country and abroad.
‘In its continuous effort to enhance efficiency and transparency, the Board has decided to introduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for the evaluation of Class XII answer books beginning with the 2026 examinations. Evaluation of Class X answer books will continue in physical mode as before in 2026,’ the circular stated.
The Board said the system is expected to bring multiple advantages, including ‘elimination of totalling errors’, ‘automated coordination reducing manual intervention’, and ‘faster evaluation with wider teacher participation’.
CBSE further noted that under the OSM system, teachers will be able to evaluate answer sheets while remaining in their respective schools and continuing regular duties, leading to savings in transportation time and costs. It also stated that ‘post-result verification of marks will no longer be required’ and that the digital evaluation process would reduce manpower requirements and promote environmental sustainability.
Highlighting broader participation, CBSE said the new system would enable ‘involvement of teachers from all affiliated schools globally’, expanding the evaluation pool across its network in India and 26 countries.
To ensure smooth implementation, schools have been asked to ensure readiness of necessary infrastructure, including a computer lab with a public static IP, computers or laptops running Windows 8 or above with a minimum of 4 GB RAM and 1 GB free space on the C drive, updated browsers, Adobe Reader, reliable internet connectivity of at least 2 Mbps, and uninterrupted power supply.
CBSE said it would facilitate the transition by allowing teachers with OASIS IDs to log in and familiarise themselves with the system, conduct multiple dry runs, organise training programmes, establish a call centre for issue resolution, and release instructional videos.
‘Detailed instructions for each activity will be issued separately to ensure timely action by all stakeholders,’ the circular said.
(ANI)