The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is facing renewed criticism over its On-Screen Marking (OSM) evaluation system after a corrected Physics answer sheet shared with a Class XII student appeared to contain manual checking marks, raising fresh questions about the transparency and consistency of the board’s digital assessment process.

The controversy centres around student Vedant Shrivastava, who had earlier alleged that the Physics answer sheet uploaded under his roll number did not belong to him. Following public attention and widespread discussion on social media, CBSE reportedly provided what was described as his “correct” answer sheet. However, the revised copy displayed red ticks, circled scores, and handwritten notations commonly associated with physical evaluation rather than digital assessment.

The appearance of manual markings has now intensified debate over CBSE’s claim that the new OSM system relies on fully digitised evaluation methods. Education observers and students have questioned whether parts of the assessment process were manually reviewed after complaints surfaced, and whether the board maintained uniform evaluation standards throughout the examination cycle.

Vedant’s case has also drawn attention to a broader wave of complaints from students regarding the post-result verification process. Several candidates have reported issues such as mismatched answer sheets, blurred scanned copies and difficulties accessing documents through the portal. Students, including Sanjana and Riya, have publicly raised concerns about whether the uploaded scripts actually corresponded to their written examinations.

The growing number of complaints has shifted the discussion from isolated errors to possible systemic weaknesses in the scanning, tagging and verification process linked to CBSE’s digital evaluation framework.

Introduced to improve transparency and reduce human error, the OSM system allows evaluators to check scanned answer sheets digitally rather than physically handling paper scripts. However, reports from teachers and evaluators suggest that unclear scans, technical glitches and insufficient training may have affected the quality and reliability of the process during its large-scale rollout this year.

Critics argue that the rapid implementation of the system may have outpaced the board’s technical preparedness, especially given the volume of students appearing for Class XII examinations across the country.

Amid mounting scrutiny, the Ministry of Education has now directed expert teams from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur to conduct a technical audit of CBSE’s post-examination services infrastructure. The review will reportedly examine server systems, login mechanisms, payment gateways and the broader IT architecture supporting the OSM process.

Officials hope the audit and subsequent recommendations will help restore confidence in CBSE’s evaluation and verification systems ahead of future examination cycles.

Fresh concerns have emerged over the post-result verification process of the Central Board of Secondary Education after a Class XII student alleged that the Physics answer sheet uploaded by the board under his roll number did not belong to him.

The student, Vedant Shrivastava, raised the issue through a series of posts on social media platform X, claiming that the handwriting, presentation style and answers in the scanned Physics copy were completely different from his own.

The allegation comes at a time when CBSE is already facing criticism from students and parents over portal crashes, payment glitches, delayed access to scanned copies and blurred documents during the Class XII post-result verification process.

According to Vedant, the discrepancy became evident after he and his family compared the uploaded Physics answer sheet with his English and Computer Science papers, which he said clearly matched his handwriting and writing style.

“The Physics answer sheet sent by CBSE is not my answer sheet at all. I know this is not my handwriting and it did not have the questions I attempted,” the student wrote on X.

He further claimed that his teachers and family members also noticed major differences in handwriting style, spacing, sentence flow and overall presentation.

“The handwriting style, letter formation, spacing, slant, sentence flow — everything is different. This is not a minor variation. It is completely different writing,” he stated.

Vedant alleged that the mismatch directly affected his marks and eligibility criteria for higher education admissions. He claimed that because of the marks awarded in Physics, he failed to secure the required 75 per cent aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM).

“I am awarded 50% marks for the answers written by some other student. Where is my real answer sheet? Where are my real marks?” he questioned.

The student also raised broader concerns about the transparency and reliability of the board’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, which digitises answer sheets for evaluation.

“CBSE said OSM would improve transparency and fairness. But if answer sheets themselves are getting mismatched, then how are students supposed to trust this process?” he wrote.

Vedant has urged the board to verify his original physical answer sheet, audit the scanning and tagging system, and investigate whether answer sheets may have been exchanged during digitisation.

According to the student, media reports indicated that CBSE may look into the matter and take necessary action. The board has not yet issued a detailed public response regarding the allegation.

The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially added Khasi and Garo to its three-language framework, allowing students in CBSE-affiliated schools to study the indigenous languages as recognised subjects from Class 9 onward. The decision has been welcomed across Meghalaya as a major step toward preserving regional languages and strengthening cultural representation within the national education system.

The inclusion came after Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma appealed to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following concerns over the omission of Khasi and Garo from the board’s earlier language list.

According to state officials, the exclusion had triggered apprehension among educators, parents, and students who feared that the absence of the two languages from the CBSE framework could affect their academic continuity and weaken efforts to preserve indigenous linguistic heritage.

After discussions with the Union Education Ministry, CBSE revised its language framework and formally recognised both Khasi and Garo under the three-language policy. The move will now enable students in Meghalaya to continue studying their mother tongues within the formal school curriculum.

Education experts say the decision carries significance beyond academics. Khasi and Garo are not only widely spoken in Meghalaya but are also closely tied to the state’s cultural identity, oral traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems. Their inclusion in the national school framework is expected to provide greater institutional recognition to local languages that have historically remained underrepresented in mainstream education.

The development is also likely to benefit teachers and schools across the state by creating opportunities for language instruction, curriculum development, and educational resources in Khasi and Garo.

Officials noted that the decision aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises multilingual learning and encourages the promotion of regional and mother tongues in school education.

For many in Meghalaya, the inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the CBSE framework is being seen as both an educational and cultural milestone, ensuring that students can remain connected to their linguistic roots while pursuing national-level education.

At a time when education is increasingly measured through placements, salaries, and competitive success, educationist Sushma Paul Berlia has argued that the true purpose of learning goes far beyond marksheets and job readiness. According to her, education must focus on shaping compassionate, ethical, and responsible human beings capable of contributing meaningfully to society.

Speaking on the changing role of education in the modern era, Berlia said the deeper objective of schooling is to prepare students not only for livelihoods but for life itself. She emphasised that while academic achievement and professional success remain important, qualities such as empathy, integrity, resilience, self-discipline, and moral courage are equally essential in a rapidly changing world.

Her remarks come amid growing global conversations around the future of education in the age of artificial intelligence, misinformation, and digital disruption. Berlia noted that the challenge for students today is no longer limited to accessing information, but learning how to distinguish truth from distortion in an increasingly complex digital environment.

According to Berlia, value systems cannot be developed solely through textbooks or formal lessons. Instead, she believes values are absorbed through culture, behaviour, and lived experiences within educational institutions.

At Apeejay Education, she said value-based learning is integrated into everyday school life through activities such as mindfulness practices, yoga, assemblies, creative arts, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programmes. The idea, she explained, is to create educational spaces where students learn not only to compete, but also to coexist, collaborate, and contribute responsibly.

Berlia also stressed the importance of nurturing responsible global citizens at a time when societies across the world are becoming increasingly interconnected yet polarised. She argued that education systems must encourage students to think beyond individual achievement and understand their role in addressing broader social and environmental challenges.

Education experts say her observations reflect a wider shift taking place globally, where schools and universities are being urged to balance employability with emotional intelligence, ethics, and social responsibility. With artificial intelligence increasingly automating technical tasks, many educators believe human qualities such as empathy, creativity, adaptability, and ethical reasoning may become even more valuable in the future workforce.

As debates around education reform continue, Berlia’s message reinforces a growing belief among educators that the success of an education system should not be judged only by examination results or placement figures, but by the kind of human beings it helps create.

The Council of Higher Secondary Education has announced the results for the CHSE Odisha Class 12 Examination 2026. Students can access their scorecards through the official CHSE website and the SAMS College e-space portal from 3 pm onwards.

The overall pass percentage this year stood at 82.45 per cent, with the Science stream emerging as the best-performing category.

Students can also check their results through DigiLocker.

Stream-Wise Performance

According to official data released by the Council of Higher Secondary Education:

  • Science stream recorded a pass percentage of 88.82%
  • Commerce stream registered 88.26%
  • Arts stream recorded 84%

This year, around 2.56 lakh students enrolled in Arts, 1.14 lakh in Science, 24,621 in Commerce, and 5,932 in vocational studies.

Science Stream Records Highest Success Rate

The Science stream saw 1,14,363 students enrolled, of whom 1,13,826 appeared for the examination. A total of 1,01,104 students successfully cleared the exams.

Among the successful candidates:

  • 94,887 were regular students
  • 6,217 were ex-regular candidates

Girls outperformed boys once again in the stream.

  • Girls’ pass percentage: 90.24%
  • Boys’ pass percentage: 87.41%

In terms of division-wise results:

  • 67,450 students secured first division
  • 21,717 obtained second division
  • 10,043 passed in third division
  • 1,894 candidates cleared compartmental examinations

Notably, 5,101 students scored 90 per cent and above in the Science stream.

District-wise, Balasore emerged as the top-performing district with a pass percentage of 96.63 per cent, while Koraput recorded the lowest at 77.14 per cent.

Arts Stream Performance

In the Arts stream, 2,54,119 students appeared for the examination and 2,14,738 successfully passed.

Among them:

  • 2,02,679 were regular students
  • 11,154 were ex-regular candidates
  • 905 belonged to the correspondence category

Division-wise performance included:

  • 53,141 students in first division
  • 49,797 in second division
  • 1,11,308 in third division

A total of 614 students scored 90 per cent and above in Arts.

Sambalpur recorded the highest Arts pass percentage at 89.48 per cent, while Nabarangpur registered the lowest at 77.14 per cent.

Commerce Stream Results

The Commerce stream recorded an overall pass percentage of 88.26 per cent, with 21,353 students clearing the examination.

Among the successful candidates:

  • 20,453 were regular students
  • 892 were ex-regular candidates
  • Eight belonged to the correspondence category

Girls again outperformed boys:

  • Girls’ pass percentage: 90.73%
  • Boys’ pass percentage: 86.82%

Division-wise results showed:

  • 7,207 students secured first division
  • 4,402 passed in second division
  • 9,641 students were placed in third division

The Council of Higher Secondary Education has advised students to download and verify their digital marksheets online while awaiting original certificates from their respective schools.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a major relief for Class 12 students by significantly reducing the fees for post-result services, including obtaining scanned copies of answer sheets, verification of marks, and re-evaluation. The board has also stated that students whose marks increase after re-evaluation will receive a refund of the re-evaluation fee.

The decision comes amid growing concerns among students and parents regarding the cost of post-result procedures and aims to make the evaluation system more accessible and student-friendly.

Major Reduction In Re-Evaluation Charges

According to CBSE, the fee for obtaining scanned copies of evaluated answer books has been reduced sharply from Rs 700 to Rs 100 per subject.

Similarly, the fee for verification of issues observed in answer sheets has also been lowered from Rs 500 to Rs 100.

The board has additionally reduced the re-evaluation fee from Rs 100 per question to Rs 25 per question.

CBSE stated that the revised fee structure has been introduced to ensure that financial limitations do not prevent students from availing themselves of post-result facilities.

In a significant move, the board also clarified that the re-evaluation fee will be refunded if a student’s marks increase following the re-evaluation process.

Important Dates For Students

As per the official schedule released by CBSE, students can apply for scanned copies of their evaluated answer books between May 19 and May 22, 2026.

The window for verification of marks and issues observed in answer sheets will remain open from May 26 to May 29.

Applications for re-evaluation can also be submitted during the notified period through the official CBSE portals.

The board reiterated that the overall procedure for post-result activities remains unchanged from the earlier notification issued on May 15.

CBSE has also urged schools to widely circulate the updated information among students and parents to ensure applications are submitted within the stipulated deadlines.

CBSE Launches Student Support Helpline

Alongside the revised fee structure, CBSE has launched dedicated support facilities for students and parents dealing with stress, confusion, or queries following the declaration of results.

The board has activated a tele-counselling helpline at 1800-11-8004 to assist students, schools, and parents with exam-related concerns, evaluation issues, and post-result guidance.

Students may also seek official assistance and clarification by writing to the dedicated email address:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CBSE said the initiatives reflect its commitment to maintaining a “transparent, fair, and student-friendly evaluation system” while ensuring greater accessibility and emotional support for students during the post-result period.

The 2026 Class 12 results declared by the Central Board of Secondary Education reveal a striking shift in student performance trends, with creative arts, applied learning, and technology-oriented subjects producing the highest number of perfect scorers.

According to CBSE’s “Mark 100 Subject-Wise List”, subjects such as Painting, Hindustani Music Vocal, Artificial Intelligence, and Psychology emerged as the strongest-performing disciplines in terms of students securing full marks.

The trend reflects changing academic preferences under evolving education reforms and growing student interest in skill-based and interdisciplinary learning.

Painting tops the list with over 15,000 perfect scorers

Painting recorded the highest number of students scoring 100 marks, with 15,334 candidates achieving perfect scores.

The subject has consistently remained among the most scoring disciplines in CBSE examinations due to:

  • Practical evaluation components

  • Creative assessment formats

  • Portfolio-based performance

  • Flexible interpretation and presentation

The results also indicate sustained student interest in visual arts and creative education pathways.

Hindustani Music Vocal emerges as major performer

Hindustani Music Vocal saw 4,472 students secure full marks, making it one of the top-performing performing arts subjects this year.

The strong scores highlight:

  • Continued institutional support for performing arts education

  • Increased participation in music-based electives

  • Strong practical assessment outcomes

The subject’s performance also reflects how arts education is increasingly being integrated into mainstream academic achievement.

Artificial Intelligence among the top-scoring subjects

One of the most significant developments in the 2026 results is the rise of Artificial Intelligence as a major high-scoring subject.

A total of 3,326 students scored full marks in Artificial Intelligence.

The performance underscores:

  • Growing demand for future-ready technical education

  • Increased school-level adoption of AI curricula

  • Rising student interest in machine learning, coding, and data systems

The subject’s popularity aligns with broader educational reforms encouraging digital literacy and emerging technology skills under National Education Policy 2020.

Psychology gains strength among humanities students

Psychology also emerged as a major scoring subject, with 2,533 students securing perfect marks.

The subject continues to attract humanities students because of:

  • Concept-based learning

  • Application-oriented questions

  • Real-world relevance

  • Balanced theoretical and practical components

Psychology’s growing popularity also reflects rising awareness of mental health, behavioural sciences, and social research among students.

Other top-scoring subjects

The overall list of subjects with the highest number of perfect scorers includes:

  • Painting — 15,334 students

  • Hindustani Music Vocal — 4,472 students

  • Artificial Intelligence — 3,326 students

  • Psychology — 2,533 students

  • English Core — 2,401 students

  • App/Commercial Art — 2,197 students

  • Yoga — 2,013 students

  • Accountancy — 1,437 students

The mix of subjects reveals strong performance across:

  • Creative disciplines

  • Technology-oriented courses

  • Wellness and applied learning subjects

  • Commerce education

What the trend reveals about Indian education

The 2026 results point toward a broader transformation in student learning patterns.

Traditionally dominant rote-heavy subjects are increasingly being complemented by:

  • Applied skill development

  • Creative expression

  • Interdisciplinary learning

  • Technology integration

Education experts say these trends indicate that students often perform better in subjects that:

  • Encourage conceptual understanding

  • Allow practical application

  • Include project-based learning

  • Reduce memorisation pressure

The strong performance in AI also signals how schools are rapidly adapting to industry demand for digital and computational skills.

Bigger shift under NEP-era education reforms

The results reflect the long-term influence of competency-based learning reforms introduced under NEP 2020.

As schools increasingly prioritise:

  • Skill-based education

  • Flexible subject choices

  • Creative disciplines

  • Digital competencies

students are demonstrating stronger outcomes in subjects linked to real-world application rather than purely theoretical memorisation.

The 2026 CBSE subject-wise performance trends may therefore represent more than just examination statistics — they may signal a deeper cultural shift in how academic success is being defined in Indian schools.

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