UKHRUL: Just weeks after the NEET paper leak controversy, students across the country are facing yet another examination-related concern, with over 4 lakh CBSE students out of 17 lakh applicants requesting scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets.
In India, highschools heavily emphasize on the importance of board examinations labeling it as a defining factor in a student’s future. However, the same students who have worked tremendously hard are now outraged and extremely disappointed as multiple cases arise of alleged error with CBSE’s evaluation process surface.
A user on X identified as Vedant stated, “After receiving unexpectedly low marks in Physics, we applied for photocopies of my answer sheets through the CBSE reevaluation process. Today I received the copies and I am shattered because the Physics answer sheet uploaded is not mine.”
“I studied for an entire year. I sacrificed sleep, peace of mind, outings, everything for these exams. And now I do not even know whether my actual physics paper was checked,” he added.
In its response, CBSE acknowledged the mix-up involving Vedant’s answer sheet and stated that corrective measures were being taken. “Upon review, the matter has been examined, and the correct copy of your answer book has been sent to your registered email address. Necessary action for updating your result, as pplicable, is also being undertaken accordingly.
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Sanjana, a X user remarked, “The scanned copy of my chemistry sheet I received does not match my handwriting or written response.”
“When I saw my copy I only got 33/80 so I applied for my scanned copy. Yesterday I received my scanned copy from CBSE and when I opened it, it was not even my handwriting,” another user Moksh shared.
Students have also raised concerns over the accuracy of grading, Satyam a user on X stated, “After carefully rechecking my responses with the official CBSE marking scheme, I found that 5 of my MCQ answers, which were actually correct were marked wrong by the examiner. Such deep and careless checking has directly affected and ruined by result, casing significant loss of marks and mental stress.”
A post by Ishan read, “They have given me 0.5 marks in mcq. My math copy is blurry and despite an answer being fully correct, they deducted 2 marks.”
Multiple students have created social media accounts to voice their concerns and seek answers. As more students began applying for scanned answer sheets, CBSE’s online portal began malfunctioning. Payments failed, applications froze midway and some students were even charged multiple times. In a widely circulated case nearly Rs 3 lakh was charged for four answer sheets. CBSE later admitted to technical glitches and promised refunds.
Another issue highlighted was the slow process of receiving the evaluated answer sheets, “I applied for the scan copies on 21 may, but till now I have not received all the copies,” Narendra took to X.
The controversy centered around this year’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for CBSE’s class 12 board examination. Designed to be a more accurate and transparent system, nearly 98.66 lakh answer sheets were digitally scanned and evaluated online by around 70,000 examiners across India.
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After the results were released on May 13, complaints flooded online with students claiming error in the grading system. The overall Class 12 percentage fell sharply to 85.2% down from 88.30% the previous year.
Throughout the incident, CBSE and the Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhanhave defended the OSM system and reiterated on digital systems bearing more accuracy yet, students believe what they experience and they have experienced, mixed answer sheets, incorrect grades, payment issues and lack of accountability. As the board stands firmly by its system and students continue to question it, the credibility of India’s largest school examination body hangs in the balance.