The Supreme Court on Wednesday raised serious concerns over alleged irregularities in the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) on-screen marking (OSM) system for evaluating Class 12 answer sheets. The court observed that the digital evaluation process appeared to be causing significant hardship to students and sought a detailed response from the Centre on measures being taken to address the issue. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said there appeared to be growing concerns surrounding the implementation of the digital evaluation system. The bench also comprised Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
Supreme Court notes students’ frustration
During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked that students were facing considerable frustration because of issues linked to the digital marking process. “Look at the amount of frustration of young children,” the Chief Justice observed while referring to the concerns raised in the petition. The bench further indicated that there appeared to be “creeping problems” in the on-screen evaluation mechanism that required closer examination. Justice Joymalya Bagchi also clarified that the court was not approaching the issue in an adversarial manner but was seeking the Centre’s assistance in understanding the larger concerns.
Centre asked to submit status report
The bench requested Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to assist the court and directed the Centre to file a status report explaining the steps taken to address the alleged shortcomings in the OSM system. The matter has been posted for further hearing next week.
PIL seeks major reforms in CBSE’s OSM system
The PIL was filed by Rakesh Binjola through advocate Laxmikant Matadan Shukla. It seeks the constitution of a high-powered committee to supervise and reform the CBSE’s on-screen marking system. The petition also urges the Centre and the CBSE to frame comprehensive regulations governing the conduct of board examinations evaluated through the digital marking process.
What is the On-Screen Marking (OSM) System?
The CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system is a digital evaluation process under which teachers assess scanned copies of students’ handwritten answer sheets on computers instead of evaluating the original physical scripts manually. The system was introduced to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and standardise the evaluation process. However, the PIL alleges that certain discrepancies in the digital evaluation mechanism may have adversely affected students’ final scores.
Relief sought for affected students
Apart from seeking reforms, the petition has also requested interim relief for students who may have suffered because of the alleged flaws in the evaluation process. Among the key demands are:
- Relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks for affected Class 12 students.
- Protection for candidates who have already secured provisional admissions or qualified entrance examinations but may lose eligibility because of disputed board marks.
- Exemption from minimum Class 12 percentage requirements, including the 75 per cent eligibility criterion prescribed by certain higher education institutions and entrance processes.
The plea argues that students should not suffer academic setbacks if discrepancies in the evaluation system are ultimately established.
Centre says Commission already examining the issue
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that many of the individual marksheet-related grievances highlighted in the petition had already been resolved. However, he assured the bench that the government was treating the broader concerns regarding the OSM system seriously. Mehta informed the court that a one-member commission headed by S. Radha Chauhan had already been constituted to examine the functioning of the on-screen marking system and recommend necessary reforms. He further stated that the commission was reviewing the grievances raised in the petition and would suggest systemic improvements to strengthen the evaluation process.
Matter to be heard next week
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court directed the Solicitor General to place on record the steps taken by both the CBSE and the Union government to address concerns related to the digital evaluation system. The matter will now come up for hearing next week, when the court is expected to review the government’s response and the progress made towards examining the alleged shortcomings in the CBSE’s on-screen marking process.
