What Is On-Screen Marking (OSM)? CBSE Plans Digital Evaluation For Class 12 Exams 2026

In a significant step towards digitising examination processes, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the introduction of On-Screen Marking (OSM) for evaluating Class 12 answer scripts beginning with the 2026 board examinations.

The reform is designed to accelerate assessment timelines while strengthening transparency and accuracy. Meanwhile, the Board has clarified that Class 10 answer books will continue to be checked through the traditional physical method in 2026.

CBSE conducts board examinations for Classes 10 and 12 across India and in 26 countries, covering nearly 46 lakh students each year. Given this vast scale, evaluation has long been a demanding and time-consuming exercise, making digital adoption a key administrative priority.

What CBSE Said

Announcing the rollout, Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations, CBSE, said the Board is introducing On-Screen Marking as part of its continuous efforts to enhance efficiency and transparency in the evaluation process.

An official communication dated February 9, 2026, noted that the new system is expected to streamline the assessment workflow and minimise reliance on manual procedures.

Why CBSE Is Shifting To Digital Evaluation

The Board outlined several factors that influenced the move towards On-Screen Marking for Class 12 papers:

• Faster evaluation enabled by broader participation from teachers across affiliated schools
• Automatic calculation of marks, removing the risk of totalling mistakes
• Digitised coordination that lowers manual intervention and reduces errors
• Elimination of post-result mark verification, helping avoid delays after declarations
• Lower manpower needs for verification-related tasks
• Reduced transportation time and expenses since physical answer books will not be moved
• Flexibility for teachers to evaluate from their own schools while continuing regular duties
• Greater participation from affiliated institutions worldwide without geographical constraints
• Environment-friendly processes that align with CBSE's push towards sustainable digital practices

Technical Readiness Required From Schools

To ensure a smooth transition, CBSE has directed schools to prepare their infrastructure in advance. Institutions must arrange:

• A computer lab equipped with a Public Static IP as mandated by Affiliation Bye-Laws
• PCs or laptops running Windows OS 8 or above, with at least 4 GB RAM and 1 GB free space on the C drive
• Updated browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Internet Explorer
• Adobe Reader installation
• Stable internet connectivity with a minimum speed of 2 Mbps
• Uninterrupted power supply

Support Measures For Teachers And Schools

The Board has also laid out a structured support system to help educators adapt to the new evaluation format. These include allowing teachers with OASIS IDs to access and explore the OSM platform, conducting multiple dry runs for practice, and organising training sessions that explain the system in detail.

Additionally, a dedicated call centre will handle technical issues, while instructional videos will provide step-by-step guidance. CBSE added that detailed activity-wise instructions will be released separately to help stakeholders prepare on time.

The Board has already informed schools about the decision and requested their cooperation in ensuring a seamless and effective transition ahead of the 2026 Class 12 examinations.

This year, CBSE board examinations for Classes 10 and 12 are scheduled to begin on February 17 and conclude on April 10. The Board has also decided to conduct the Class 10 examination twice annually, with the second phase set from May 15 to June 1. Both attempts will follow the same syllabus, though appearing in the first examination starting February 17 will remain compulsory.