Teachers report increased stress and workload with the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. The digital evaluation method, being expanded for Class 12 board exams nationwide from 2026, is causing fatigue and errors, contrary to its goal of efficiency.
Teachers Cite Insufficient Training, Fatigue
The OSM system requires examiners to scan and evaluate answer scripts on a computer interface. This digital shift, promoted as modernization, is met with complaints of rushed implementation and inadequate training. One teacher from Pune stated the one-week training was insufficient for rapid digital evaluation.
“Adapting to this is beyond irritating,” the Pune teacher said. “Sometimes I feel like not giving marks at all. It is simply difficult.”
Challenges with Interface and Screen Time
Mastering the digital interface under deadline pressure is a key challenge. The system uses strict color codes for error correction and highlighting. A single misstep can reset work, leading to repetitive corrections, according to a Bengaluru teacher.
“I am correcting the same booklet ten times,” the teacher explained. The process is described as mentally draining.
Prolonged screen exposure is another concern. A teacher in her 40s from Lucknow reported physical strain. “This has increased screen time at this age and it is not good,” she said. “It was supposed to make our job easier. Instead, it feels more exhausting.”
Younger Educators Also Report Difficulties
Younger teachers, comfortable with technology, find the evaluation software rigid and time-consuming. A teacher with over nine years of experience noted the difference between everyday digital use and the evaluation tools.
“I am handy with WhatsApp, scrolling YouTube Shorts, and reading research papers for teaching,” they stated. “But not with these panic buttons that are introduced.” This teacher believes the system was implemented without thorough explanation and takes longer than manual correction.
Concerns Over Accuracy and Fairness
Educators express concern that technical errors or accidental clicks could negatively impact student scores. A senior examiner emphasized the responsibility of fair evaluation.
“I would rather correct manually than risk mistakes because of software problems,” she said. She noted that even her children found the system confusing.
Calls for Improvement and Phased Implementation
Teachers are requesting extended training, better technical support, and a gradual shift to the OSM system. Some suggest a hybrid model, combining manual and on-screen marking, until the software is more user-friendly.
Calls to CBSE officials for comment on these issues went unanswered at the time of publication.