CBSE on-screen marking meant that, for the first time, Class 12 board answer sheets in 2026 were scanned and checked on a computer portal instead of on paper. The rollout drew thousands of complaints about missing pages, mismatched papers and unexpectedly low marks. If you or your child sat the 2026 exams, or will sit them in 2027, here is what happened and what the re-evaluation route looks like.
Key Facts
- CBSE announced on-screen marking (OSM) for Class 12 on February 10, 2026; Class 10 papers stayed on paper (Careers360).
- Class 12 results came out on May 13, 2026, and the pass percentage fell from 88.39% in 2025 to 85.2% (Wikipedia summary of press reports).
- About 9.87 million answer sheets were scanned and roughly 70,000 evaluators were used, per the same summary.
- Re-evaluation applications reached 404,319, far above earlier years.
- Fees were cut to Rs 100 per subject for photocopies, Rs 100 per subject for verification and Rs 25 per question for re-evaluation.
What Is CBSE On-Screen Marking?
On-screen marking is a system where physical answer sheets are scanned and teachers evaluate them on a screen. CBSE said it would remove additional errors, stop skipped answers, speed up results and cut the transport of paper (source). Teachers could also mark from their own schools instead of travelling to evaluation centres.
The idea is sound on paper. The trouble was in the execution.
What Went Wrong in 2026
Students and parents reported blurred or missing pages in scanned copies, answer sheets that did not belong to them, unmarked answers and portal crashes during payment. One Delhi student found that his Physics sheet carried someone else’s handwriting; CBSE acknowledged the error after it went viral.
CBSE first defended the system as secure, then admitted security gaps on May 31. The board’s chairman and secretary were later removed from their posts, according to the same account. Treat the finer points of the controversy as reported rather than settled, since inquiries and political reactions were still developing.
How Does Re-evaluation Work?
Re-evaluation follows a fixed order: first a photocopy of your answer sheet, then verification of marks, then re-evaluation of specific answers. A coaching-portal summary of the 2026 process says skipping the photocopy step rules out the later ones (Amity Online). Applications go through the Post Result Services section of cbse.gov.in using your roll number, school code and centre number.
Can marks go down?
Yes. The same source says marks can rise, stay the same or fall after re-evaluation, and a lower mark becomes final. That is a reason to compare the photocopy against your own memory of the paper before you pay to re-evaluate a question.
What does it cost?
For 2026 the fees were Rs 100 per subject for photocopies, Rs 100 per subject for verification and Rs 25 per question for re-evaluation, with a refund if marks increase. Fees and dates can change every year, so confirm them on the official CBSE notice.
What Students and Parents Should Do
- Request the photocopy first and check every page is present and belongs to you.
- Add up the marks yourself and match them to the portal total.
- Re-evaluate only the answers where you can point to a real mistake.
- Keep screenshots and receipts of every step.
- Read the exact dates in the official circular; coaching blogs sometimes differ from CBSE.
- If a low result is weighing on you, talk to a parent, teacher or school counsellor. A bad number is not a verdict on you.
FAQs
Q. Is CBSE on-screen marking used for Class 10?
Ans. No. For 2026, CBSE kept Class 10 evaluation offline and used OSM only for Class 12.
Q. Can my marks decrease after re-evaluation?
Ans. Yes. Re-evaluation can raise, keep or lower marks, and CBSE did not allow a second round in 2026, according to the Amity Online summary.
Q. How much does CBSE re-evaluation cost?
Ans. In 2026 it was Rs 100 per subject for the photocopy, Rs 100 per subject for verification and Rs 25 per question for re-evaluation.
Q. Why did the pass percentage drop in 2026?
Ans. The pass percentage fell to 85.2% from 88.39%, but the sources do not establish a single cause. Complaints centred on scanning and marking errors.
Next Steps
If you are preparing for the 2027 boards, learn the post-result steps now so you are not scrambling later, and watch the CBSE website for any OSM changes. Check back here for updates as CBSE publishes new notices.
Sources: Careers360 (OSM announcement), Wikipedia summary of the 2026 controversy, Amity Online re-evaluation guide. Verify current rules on cbse.gov.in.