The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will implement on-screen marking for Class 12 board examinations starting in 2026 . This digital evaluation system will scan physical answer scripts and mark them on secure online platforms, replacing the traditional paper-based review at evaluation centers.
Digital Marking System Details
Under the new system, answer booklets will be scanned at designated locations. These digital copies will then be uploaded and distributed to examiners via the CBSE Onmark portal (cbse.onmark.co.in). The portal facilitates question-wise marking, automatic totaling of scores, and structured moderation. CBSE has initiated data collection for teachers on the CBSE Oasis portal for evaluation purposes.
CBSE officials state the on-screen marking aims for greater transparency, faster result processing, and elimination of clerical errors. This initiative aligns with broader reforms, including two board exam opportunities for Class 10 and competency-based assessment models.
Teacher Concerns on Implementation
Teachers express mixed reactions, acknowledging potential benefits but voicing concerns about the transition timeline and technical readiness. A senior examiner noted worries about the compressed timeframe for implementing a system handling high-stakes board exams. Potential issues include scanning integrity, image clarity, server stability, and cybersecurity safeguards.
The examiner highlighted the difference between physical and digital evaluation. With paper, examiners can easily cross-reference pages. On-screen marking relies on how scripts are segmented. This could lead to oversight if an answer continues on a different page and the interface does not clearly flag it. Such errors could impact student admissions.
Accountability for technical glitches like server downtime or auto-save failures is also a concern. Teachers question who would bear responsibility: the examiner, the board, or the technology vendor. Clear escalation and verification protocols are deemed necessary before full implementation.
Another teacher described a recent CBSE webinar as heavy on procedures but light on practical demonstrations. Logging protocols, digital annotation tools, and moderation workflows were explained rapidly, leaving many unsure about the actual user experience. The concern is not resistance to technology, but uncertainty about system readiness.
A younger faculty member noted the cognitive difference of evaluating hundreds of scripts on a monitor, citing screen fatigue. However, she also views digital marking as an inevitable modernization. The key issue remains accountability for technical glitches.
School principals anticipate administrative advantages like a traceable audit trail and reduced logistical burdens. However, they emphasize that automation cannot replace judgment. Stricter double verification systems, random audits, and transparent grievance redressal are considered essential.
Student Reactions: Optimism and Apprehension
Students have mixed reactions. Some believe digital marking could reduce partiality. Anonymized scripts and structured evaluation screens may limit subconscious bias related to handwriting or presentation.
A Class 12 humanities student stated that digital correction prevents examiners from knowing a student’s identity, potentially removing bias. A student from Jaipur suggested that question-wise evaluation with a clear marking scheme could lead to more uniform results.
However, optimism wanes when considering execution. Concerns exist about pages not scanning clearly or parts of answers being cut during uploading. Unlike physical papers, digital issues are not immediately visible.
A student from Chennai called the risk an “invisible risk.” They noted that while re-evaluation is possible for teacher miscalculations, system errors are harder to contest. Questions also arise about examiner familiarity with the platform and potential impacts on careful reading time.
A Delhi student expressed that the shift from physical answer sheets to digital dashboards feels disruptive during a critical academic year. The anxiety stems from a lack of understanding of the technology, especially when futures depend on precise scoring.
Parental Views: Confusion and Modernization
Parents have voiced concerns about the clarity of the on-screen marking system. One parent described a webinar as “confusion packaged as innovation,” noting a lack of detailed explanations about safeguards for mis-scanned pages or incorrect mark entries.
Another parent questioned the preparedness displayed during a session where the Controller of Examinations read from slides, suggesting the system was still being finalized. This lack of demonstrated confidence is worrying for families.
Some parents feel overwhelmed by the pace of reforms, including competency-based papers and discussions about multiple board attempts, alongside the new marking system. They advocate for stability amidst constant changes.
Conversely, some parents view the shift as necessary modernization. They believe technology can reduce totaling errors and provide a traceable audit trail. Digital tracking of every entered mark enhances accountability.
An examiner from Delhi noted that digital marking can improve consistency. Question-wise displays with integrated marking schemes reduce oversight. Automatic totaling eliminates a major area of human error.
A teacher from Chennai views the move positively, citing the efficiency and transparency benefits of secure digital access. If the platform is stable and training is thorough, the reform could enhance fairness.