“This was the first time CBSE used [the OSM process], and some discrepancies have come to light.
“17 lakh students appeared for the examination, and we have 98 lakh answer sheets.
CBSE has said that, so far, approximately 4 lakh students have accessed around 11 lakh answer sheets through the portal.
Also Read: Why CBSE must re-think its on-screen marking systemThe CBSE Class XII evaluation and post-result processes was discussed and reviewed in the meeting.
He had also accused the CBSE of handing over the contract for digital evaluation of answer books to a Telangana firm with a murky past.
Taking responsibility for the issues that have cropped up with the new on-screen marking (OSM) evaluation process used by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said that strict action will be taken against anyone found intentionally responsible for irregularities affecting students.
“This was the first time CBSE used [the OSM process], and some discrepancies have come to light. I take responsibility for this and assure you that a solution will be found. We are working on it. We will not leave any student’s query unaddressed,” he said.
Many Class 12 students have alleged scoring discrepancies and also claimed that the scanned copies of their answer sheets uploaded by the Board did not match their handwriting, taking to social media to raise concerns over a possible mix-up in the OSM system.
‘OSM concerns being addressed’
Under the OSM system, physical answer sheets were scanned and uploaded to a secure digital platform, so evaluators can assess them on computers instead of handling the paper booklets.
“17 lakh students appeared for the examination, and we have 98 lakh answer sheets. Each answer sheet has 40 pages. So, nearly 40 crore pages have been scanned,” Mr. Pradhan said. CBSE has said that, so far, approximately 4 lakh students have accessed around 11 lakh answer sheets through the portal.
“The Board is working to address all concerns raised by students regarding evaluation and re-evaluation for Class 12 examinations,” the Minister said, after chairing a meeting at the CBSE headquarters to address technical and payment-related issues faced by students during the re-evaluation and verification processes.
Evaluation process review
The review meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Department of School Education, the CBSE chairperson, the directors of IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur, along with senior officers from the Union Ministry of Education, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, public sector banks and the CBSE.
Also Read: Why CBSE must re-think its on-screen marking system
The CBSE Class XII evaluation and post-result processes was discussed and reviewed in the meeting. “Mr. Pradhan took note of reports related to login access issues, heavy server load, and payment-related difficulties on the post-examination services portal,” a senior education official noted.
The expert technical team comprising professors from IIT Madras and specialists in digital systems has been tasked with reviewing portal stability, server capacity, login management, and payment gateway integration to ensure uninterrupted services for students.
Integrated payment
Deliberations focused on providing a student-friendly re-evaluation portal, strengthening CBSE’s digital platforms, enhancing student exam and result facilitation mechanisms, and improving evaluation and monitoring systems. Stakeholders also highlighted measures undertaken for student support and outlined future plans for robust, transparent, and technology-enabled service delivery to benefit students.
The official added that, following discussions with the Finance Ministry, the payment gateways of four public sector banks — the State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank — have been integrated with the CBSE portal to make the system more seamless for students.
‘Congress opposed to tech progress’
Mr. Pradhan also slammed Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the alleged discrepancies in the CBSE exam system, saying he was “frustrated” and “opposed” to technological progress
The Minister’s response came a day after Mr. Gandhi had said the CBSE examination results have been marred by “massive irregularities” and demanded an independent judicial inquiry and constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to unearth the truth behind the “entire scam”. He had also accused the CBSE of handing over the contract for digital evaluation of answer books to a Telangana firm with a murky past.
“Yesterday, CBSE gave its response regarding this matter. It is in accordance with the procurement policy of the Government of India. I want to assure everyone that if any irregularities are found, no one will be spared,” Mr. Pradhan said.
Mr. Pradhan added that the Congress leader appeared “frustrated” due to continuous electoral defeats. “But as far as Rahul Gandhi is concerned, he seems to have reached a different state of mind. Due to continuous electoral defeats, he appears frustrated. He opposed SIR, he used to oppose EVMs, and he opposed Digital India. He does not seem to stand with India’s scientific progress,” he said.
The Minister urged political parties to avoid politicising the issue and emphasised that reducing stress among students should remain the priority.
