CBSE Extends Class 12 Re-Evaluation Deadline to June 7 Amid OSM Row

As the deadline for Class 12 verification and re-evaluation applications draws to a close on June 7, the controversy surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system continues to intensify. What began as complaints from students seeking clarification on their board examination results has now developed into a wider debate on examination transparency, digital evaluation systems and student grievance redressal in India.

The board recently extended the deadline for verification and re-evaluation applications by one day, from June 6 to June 7, after several students reported difficulties accessing scanned answer sheets and submitting requests through CBSE's post-result services portal. The extension was announced amid growing concerns over alleged discrepancies in answer books uploaded through the digital evaluation platform.

The controversy erupted when some Class 12 students claimed that the scanned copies of answer sheets made available by CBSE did not match their handwriting or the responses they had written during the examinations. Others reported blurred scans, missing pages, missing supplementary sheets and answer books that appeared to belong to different candidates. One student's allegation that the Physics answer sheet uploaded by the board was not his own attracted significant attention and fueled wider concerns about the evaluation process.

At the centre of the issue is the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system , a major digital reform introduced by CBSE to modernize answer-sheet evaluation. Under the system, physical answer books are scanned and uploaded to a digital platform where examiners assess them electronically instead of handling paper copies. The board had promoted the initiative as a step toward faster processing, greater efficiency and improved transparency.

According to reports, nearly 98 lakh answer-sheet pages were digitized and evaluated through the OSM platform during the 2026 board examination cycle, making it one of the largest digital evaluation exercises undertaken by an education board in the country. However, the complaints have raised questions about the accuracy of scanning, document mapping and quality-control mechanisms built into the system.

Students have also flagged technical issues including portal crashes, delays in accessing answer sheets and payment-related problems while applying for verification and re-evaluation. These difficulties have added to concerns over whether the digital infrastructure was adequately prepared for nationwide implementation.

The issue has prompted intervention from the highest levels of government. The Cabinet Secretariat has constituted a one-member committee to investigate the procurement of services related to the OSM system. The Centre also transferred CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta , underscoring the seriousness of the controversy.

Education experts believe the episode highlights the opportunities and risks associated with the growing digitization of examinations. While technology can improve efficiency and reduce logistical challenges, experts argue that strong safeguards, audit trails and transparent grievance mechanisms are essential to maintain public trust.

With thousands of students awaiting the outcome of verification requests and the government inquiry, the controversy has evolved beyond a dispute over marks. It has become a significant test of confidence in India's digital examination framework and could influence future reforms aimed at strengthening evaluation transparency, accountability and student rights .