CBSE announces on-screen marking system for 2026 Class 12 exams

The Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE, will introduce an On, Screen Marking, OSM system, for the live marking of answer books of Class 12 students that will be implemented starting the board exams 2026. The board exams will begin on 17th February.

In a circular issued to the principals of all the affiliated schools on 9th February, CBSE announced that the move was undertaken to intensify the effectiveness, openness, and precision of the assessment process.

The board clarified that as per the new system Class 12 answer sheets would be marked through digital mode while marking of answer books of Class 10 would remain physical in 2026.

CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj pointed out that the OSM system would be totally eliminating the error of totalling, lessening the staff intervention through an automated coordination step, and allowing faster evaluations with wider teacher involvements. He added that the teachers would be able to carry out the evaluations from their respective schools which would definitely save a lot of time and transportation costs.

The board also said that post-result verification of marks would no longer be required, reducing manpower needs, while enabling teachers from all CBSE-affiliated schools, including those overseas, to participate in the evaluation process.Bhardwaj explained that the move was a green tech reform.

In order to make the change hassle, free, CBSE has instructed schools to upgrade their infrastructure to be computer labs with public static IPs, Windows OS 8 or higher systems with at least 4 GB RAM, updated web browsers, Adobe Reader, good internet connection (at least 2 Mbps), and uninterrupted power supply.

CBSE will be there for schools with training sessions, several dry runs, tutorial videos, and a helpline for solving problems. Teachers with Online Affiliated School Information System (OASIS) IDs will be allowed to access and familiarise themselves with the platform.

The board conducts Class 10 and 12 examinations annually in India and in 26 countries, catering to nearly 46 lakh students.