Supreme Court Orders CBSE to Fix OSM Evaluation Issues

• The Supreme Court has asked the CBSE to explore ways to protect the interests of students facing difficulties in entrance-based admissions due to their scores under the OSM system.
• Several students who cleared their CBSE exams are facing difficulties in securing admission due to their scores under the OSM system.
• The CBSE's introduction of the OSM system has been criticized for its lack of transparency and fairness, leading to irregularities in the evaluation process.

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The Supreme Court has intervened in a matter involving the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for evaluating answer sheets. A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was informed that several students who had cleared their CBSE exams were facing difficulties in entrance-based admissions due to their scores under the OSM system. These students had appeared for entrance examinations for other courses, but failed to secure the minimum marks required for admission because of their CBSE scores. In some cases, the courses had already commenced.

The Bench was told that the irregularities in the OSM evaluation system were responsible for the lesser marks/scores secured by these students. The Court then asked the CBSE to examine the issue and find ways to protect the interests of such students.

The introduction of the OSM system in 2026 has been a subject of controversy, with teachers not being provided formal training before its implementation. The CBSE had issued two circulars on February 9, 2026 - one regarding the OSM system and another concerning the relieving of teachers for the entire day to undertake training. However, it appears that this training was inadequate or non-existent, leading to the irregularities in the evaluation process.

The petition challenging the CBSE's introduction of the OSM system has highlighted the need for a more transparent and fair evaluation process. The Court's intervention is a significant development in this matter, as it seeks to protect the interests of students who have been affected by the OSM system.

The Supreme Court's order has far-reaching implications for students who are awaiting admission to various courses. The CBSE's OSM system has created uncertainty and anxiety among students, who are now facing difficulties in securing admission due to their scores. The Court's intervention is a welcome move, as it seeks to address the irregularities in the evaluation process and protect the interests of these students.

The matter also highlights the need for the CBSE to revisit its policies and procedures for evaluating answer sheets. The introduction of the OSM system without adequate training for teachers has led to unintended consequences, which must be addressed to ensure that students receive a fair deal.

Lawyers advising students on entrance exam admissions should watch for potential changes to the CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, which may impact their clients' eligibility and should monitor any updates from the Central Board of Secondary Education.

Source: Original reporting via The Hindu