4 lakh students, 11 lakh answer scripts: CBSE re-evaluation opens today amid OSM row

The CBSE Class 12 re-evaluation window opens today amid one of the biggest post-result controversies the board has faced in recent years. Since day one, we have been extensively reporting on the unfolding OSM fiasco, and this copy brings together the entire sequence of events that pushed the board into crisis mode.

But despite the massive rush for answer sheets, it is still unclear how many students will actually proceed with re-evaluation.

So far, over 4 lakh students have applied to access their answer scripts, leading to more than 11 lakh answer book requests. However, many students may stop at merely reviewing their copies, while others could move ahead with verification of marks or re-evaluation depending on what they find in their scripts.

In an interview with India Today on May 28, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had indicated that perhaps around 20 per cent of students may ultimately opt for re-evaluation, though the exact figure will only become clear in the coming days as the process unfolds.

OVER 11 LAKH ANSWER SCRIPTS REQUESTED

According to official CBSE figures

• 4,04,319 students applied for answer scripts
• 11,31,961 answer books were requested
• 8,98,214 answer books have already been digitally furnished

The numbers reflect the scale of anxiety and distrust surrounding this year’s evaluation process after CBSE introduced the controversial On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 board exams.

Under OSM, evaluators checked scanned digital copies of answer sheets instead of physical scripts. CBSE had pitched the move as a step toward faster and more transparent evaluation.

But soon after the results were declared, social media was flooded with complaints from students alleging unusually low marks, incomplete answer sheets, unchecked answers, blurred scans, and repeated portal crashes during the answer-sheet access process.

The controversy escalated further after students and parents began posting screenshots online claiming that some answer sheets appeared partially marked or mismatched.

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CBSE SLASHES RE-EVALUATION FEES AFTER BACKLASH

Amid mounting criticism, CBSE significantly reduced the fee structure for post-result services. According to the revised fee structure, a scanned copy of an answer sheet would cost Rs 100 per subject, verification of marks would also cost Rs 100 per subject, and re-evaluation will be charged at Rs per question.

Earlier, the charges were more expensive. Rs 700 for scanned copies, Rs 500 for verification, Rs 100 per question for re-evaluation.

The board also announced that re-evaluation fees would be refunded if marks increase after review.

The fee rollback came after widespread outrage over the costs students were expected to bear while simultaneously dealing with portal glitches and evaluation concerns.

HOW CAN STUDENTS APPLY FOR RE-EVALUATION

Students can apply through the official CBSE portal following a few steps:

Step 1: Obtain scanned answer sheet: Students must first access a scanned copy of their evaluated answer book.

Step 2: Review the script carefully: Students are advised to check whether all answers were evaluated, whether totals were calculated correctly, whether any pages are missing, and if answers were left unchecked.

Step 3: Apply for verification of marks: If discrepancies are found, students can seek verification.

Step 4: Apply for re-evaluation: Students can then request re-evaluation for specific questions where they believe marks were unfairly deducted.

CBSE has clarified that marks may increase, decrease or remain unchanged after re-evaluation, and the revised score will be treated as final.

A RESULT CONTROVERSY THAT REFUSES TO DIE

The row surrounding CBSE’s Class 12 results has now grown far beyond just marks. Over the past week, the board has faced criticism over technical glitches, OSM transparency concerns, alleged cybersecurity vulnerabilities, confusion over answer-sheet access, and even questions over vendor management.

A teenage hacker’s viral claims about vulnerabilities in a CBSE-linked portal added another layer to the controversy, although the board later clarified that the actual evaluation system had not been hacked and that the screenshots circulating online involved a testing platform with sample data.

Political reactions also followed, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning the transparency of the digital evaluation process and the contract linked to the OSM system. CBSE rejected the allegations and defended the integrity of its evaluation process.

For millions of students, however, the issue is now no longer just about marks. It is increasingly becoming a question of trust in one of India’s largest school examination systems.

As the re-evaluation window opens today, thousands of students are expected to log in once again, many hoping the second look at their answer sheets will finally bring clarity after weeks of confusion and controversy.