The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the introduction of On-Screen Marking (OSM) for the evaluation of Class 12 answer books, starting with the 2026 board examinations. The move aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and speed in the evaluation process.
According to CBSE, Class 10 answer books will continue to be evaluated in physical mode in 2026, as done previously.
CBSE conducts Class 10 and Class 12 board exams annually in India and across 26 countries, covering nearly 46 lakh students. The Board stated that digital evaluation will help eliminate totalling errors, automate coordination, reduce manual intervention, and enable faster result processing.
The new system will allow teachers to evaluate answer sheets from their own schools, reducing disruption to teaching schedules while also saving transportation time and costs. The move is expected to support environmentally sustainable practices and reduce manpower needs, as post-result verification of marks will no longer be required.
To prepare for the transition, CBSE has instructed schools to ensure adequate infrastructure, including computers or laptops with Windows 8 or above, minimum 4 GB RAM, stable internet connectivity of at least 2 Mbps, updated browsers, Adobe Reader, public static IP, and uninterrupted power supply.
CBSE will support schools and teachers through system access, training programmes, dry runs, instructional videos, and a dedicated call centre. Detailed implementation guidelines will be issued separately.
The Class 10 and Class 12 board exams for 2026 will begin on February 17 and conclude on April 10. Class 10 exams will be conducted twice a year, with the second exam scheduled from May 15 to June 1, while appearing for the first exam remains mandatory.
