Education
CBSE Reduces Re-Evaluation Fees for Students
The Centre has said the Central Board of Secondary Education’s On-Screen Marking system has improved transparency and objectivity in Class 12 evaluation amid concerns raised over this year’s examination results.
The government on Sunday said that the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system used in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 examinations has strengthened transparency and objectivity in the evaluation process.
Addressing concerns regarding this year’s CBSE Class 12 results in New Delhi, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Sanjay Kumar, acknowledged that some students had expressed concerns about marking and a slight decline in the overall pass percentage.
He said student welfare remains the government’s top priority and emphasised that no student should feel deprived of marks they rightfully deserve.
Explaining the evaluation process, Kumar said the OSM system ensures higher transparency and uniformity in marking. He clarified that the digital evaluation mechanism is not new and was first introduced in 2014. The system is also widely used by universities and international examination boards.
According to officials, nearly 98 lakh answer sheets were scanned and evaluated digitally this year with multiple levels of security and quality checks in place.
Kumar said that unlike earlier practices where answer sheets were evaluated only within designated regional offices, the OSM system allows assessments beyond geographical boundaries, helping improve consistency in marking.
He added that the digital process minimises errors in totalling and facilitates faster access to answer sheets for students seeking verification or re-evaluation.
On the re-evaluation process, the secretary announced that CBSE has reduced fees for students applying for review procedures. The revised charges include Rs 100 for accessing scanned answer sheets, Rs 100 for verification, and Rs 25 per question for re-evaluation.
Officials also stated that the fee would be refunded if marks increase after re-evaluation.
The re-evaluation process is scheduled to begin on May 19.
Kumar urged students and parents not to panic and encouraged them to utilise the available grievance redressal mechanisms, assuring that all concerns would be addressed fairly and sensitively.
