'Even we can’t read them': CBSE students raise fresh concerns over OSM evaluation, share blurry answer-sheet PDFs

Students accessing scanned Class 12 answer sheets online are alleging poor-quality PDF and evaluation discrepancies under CBSE’s new OSM system

Even as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) continues to defend its newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, fresh concerns have emerged after several students who accessed their scanned answer sheets began sharing screenshots online alleging that the PDFs were blurry, poorly scanned and difficult to read.

Students claimed that the low-quality scanned copies may have directly affected evaluation quality and could partly explain the unexpectedly low marks many candidates alleged they received this year.

Several screenshots circulating on social media appeared to show faded pages, rotated scans, unclear handwriting and low visibility images.

One student wrote on X, “Dear @cbseindia29, are we a joke? Copies were scanned so badly even we can’t read them, yet 50+ teachers are expected to check them accurately. Just give 15–20 grace marks to all and end this. It’s a waste of time and money for everyone.”

Another student posted sarcastically, “Amazing transparency. Can almost read 3 whole words. THANK YOU @cbseindia29 for this brilliant display of ‘strict quality checks’ and ‘integrity’.”

Apart from scanning quality concerns, several students also alleged discrepancies in evaluation itself, claiming marks had been deducted despite answers matching CBSE’s own marking scheme.

“Students wrote the correct answers… yet marks were still deducted. When children start doubting the evaluation system more than their own preparation, something is seriously wrong,” another student posted.

The latest complaints come amid continuing backlash over CBSE’s newly introduced OSM evaluation system used for Class 12 board examinations this year.

What is the OSM controversy?

Under the On-Screen Marking system, students still wrote their examinations physically on paper. However, answer sheets were later scanned into digital PDFs and evaluated online by teachers through a digital platform instead of being checked physically.

Soon after Class 12 results were announced, several students, particularly from the Science stream, alleged that they had received significantly lower marks than expected compared to their school performance and internal assessments.

Students raised concerns that diagrams, lengthy answers or handwritten responses may not have been properly visible during digital evaluation, especially if scanned copies appeared unclear or compressed.

Amid mounting criticism, CBSE earlier issued a clarification rejecting allegations that scanning was carried out poorly due to lack of preparation or time constraints.

“A claim is circulating in the media that the scanning of answer books under OSM was not carried out properly due to inadequate preparation and paucity of time,” CBSE said in a recent statement.

Calling the allegation “factually incorrect”, the board said, “Every stage of the On-Screen Marking system, including scanning, quality checks, marking, and evaluation, was undertaken as per established procedures, with due diligence and under the constant supervision of the Board.”

CBSE further stated that it remained committed to “fairness, transparency and integrity in the examination and evaluation process”.

Students continue reporting glitches on CBSE portal 

The controversy has also been compounded by repeated complaints regarding the re-evaluation and answer-sheet access portal itself.

CBSE had opened the portal for students to access scanned copies of answer sheets and apply for re-evaluation on Tuesday, May 19. 

However, shortly after the process began, several students complained online that they were facing technical glitches while trying to log in, complete payments or submit applications.

On May 20, CBSE acknowledged that the website was “temporarily facing technical glitches” and stated that services would resume later the same day.

However, denying the claims by students, the board said that “1,27,146 applications for obtaining 3,87,399 scanned answer books were submitted successfully by 7:30 pm on 20.05.26.”

Despite this, even as of Thursday, May 21, many students continued sharing complaints online alleging that payments were getting stuck, applications were not being processed, and parts of the portal were either inaccessible or not functioning properly.

Earlier, CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj had denied reports of any major failure, stating that only limited login-related complaints had been received and advising students to try again later if temporary issues occurred.