CBSE under scrutiny: A timeline from OSM rollout to answer sheet mismatch

CBSE’s mistakes do not appear to be ending anytime soon. This year has brought several questions for the board responsible for evaluating lakhs of students. The latest concerns involve two Class 12 students, Vedant and Sanjana, who alleged discrepancies in the answer sheets shared with them after the Class 12 results.

Vedant, a Class 12 student, claimed that the photocopy of his Physics answer sheet provided by CBSE did not appear to be his own. The issue gained attention after he shared his concerns online.

Sanjana also raised a similar concern on X after receiving 11 out of 70 marks in Chemistry, lower than what she had expected. When she requested a scanned copy of her answer sheet, she claimed the responses inside did not match her handwriting.

According to Sanjana, CBSE later acknowledged the issue through email communication and assured her that the marks would be updated after review.

Questions are now being raised after CBSE acknowledged one student’s complaint and reportedly rectified the issue related to CBSE Class 12 result 2026.

Similar claims by other students have led many to ask whether isolated errors or larger gaps exist in the system.

The concerns come in the first year of CBSE’s implementation of the OSM (On-Screen Marking) system at a large scale. What began as a move towards digital evaluation is now facing questions over execution, transparency and credibility.

Here is a timeline of how events unfolded over the past several months.

JANUARY 2026: OSM TRAINING AND PREPARATION BEGIN

At the start of the year, CBSE began preparations for the wider implementation of its On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Teachers involved in evaluation were reportedly trained to assess answer sheets digitally instead of relying entirely on conventional physical checking methods.

The shift was aimed at improving speed, standardisation and transparency in evaluation.

However, concerns around adaptation emerged early.

FEBRUARY TO APRIL: BOARD EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED

CBSE Class 10 and 12 board examinations took place across the country.

Lakhs of students appeared for examinations, unaware that this would be among the first result cycles heavily linked with the new digital evaluation process.

MARCH-MAY: OSM EVALUATION CONTINUES; TEACHERS FLAG TECHNICHAL ISSUES

As answer sheet evaluation progressed through the OSM platform, concerns surfaced among some teachers regarding technical delays and system-related difficulties.

Reports and discussions among evaluators indicated issues such as login problems, slow interfaces and challenges during digital checking.

The evaluation process reportedly continued close to the result declaration timeline.

MAY 11: COPIES OF BIOLOGY WERE STILL CHECKING

Questions later emerged over whether assessment processes under OSM continued until just before the declaration of results.

The concerns gained attention because CBSE results were expected within days.

MAY 13: CBSE CLASS 12 RESULTS DECLARED

CBSE announced board examination results for Class 12 on May 13.

For lakhs of students, months of waiting ended. The result dropped by 3% from 88% to 85 this year.

Many students and teachers expressed dissatisfaction with the results, with several complaining that they had received lower marks than expected.

Students dissatisfied with marks started discussing discrepancies online, while others prepared for re-evaluation and answer sheet access procedures.

Within days of results, students and parents began posting concerns on social media regarding marks, verification processes and rechecking.

The discussions intensified around transparency in post-result mechanisms.

AROUND MAY 15: CBSE ADRESSES CONCERNS, EXPLAINS POST-RESULT PROCESS

Following growing concerns, CBSE explained the re-evaluation process and highlighted that students would first be able to access scanned copies of answer sheets before proceeding with verification or rechecking requests.

The fee to get the scanned copies was brought down from Rs 700 to 100 per copy and 25 for one question.

The process was presented as a more transparent system compared to earlier methods.

MAY 19 ONWARDS: RE-EVALUATION AND ANSWER SHEET ACCESS PROCESS BEGINS

CBSE opened applications under its revised post-result mechanism.

Students seeking clarification on marks could request scanned copies of evaluated answer sheets before applying for verification or re-evaluation.

The move was seen as a major procedural change.

The timeline linked to answer sheet access reportedly saw several extensions and changes.

Students waiting for scanned copies said dates moved repeatedly, extending uncertainty. The process reportedly shifted from initial timelines to later dates including May 22, May 23, May 24 and May 25 in some stages.

The delays added to frustration among students awaiting documents.

MAY 23: VEDANT AND SANJANA ALLEGES THEY RECEIVED SOMEONE'S ELSE'S PHYSICS ANSWER SHEET

A Class 12 student, Vedant, claimed on social media that the photocopy of his Physics answer sheet provided by CBSE did not match what he had written in the examination.

He shared images online and alleged that the answer booklet belonged to another student. CBSE rectified this and sent him his copies as per the board.

The claim gained attention rapidly.

Around the same period, another student, Sanjana, reportedly raised a similar concern regarding discrepancies linked to answer sheets.

The emergence of multiple complaints increased scrutiny around whether isolated mistakes had occurred or whether broader procedural questions needed examination.

CBSE RESPONDS ON MAY 25: COMPLAINT TAKEN ON 'TOP PRIORITY'

Sources later said CBSE treated Vedant’s case on “top priority”, reached out to him and provided corrected documents.

However, discussions continue online, with some asking whether students can be fully assured that the revised copies now shared are accurate.

The larger question: Is the issue about two students or trust in the system?

The debate has moved beyond individual complaints.

Questions are now being asked about implementation of the OSM system, readiness of digital evaluation infrastructure, timelines, teacher training and confidence in post-result processes.

For students, board examinations are not merely yearly tests. Marks influence admissions, competitive exams and future choices. That is why even a single alleged answer sheet mismatch has reopened an old question: How much trust do students place in the system evaluating them?