The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), on February 09, 2026, issued a circular introducing On-Screen Marking (OSM) for evaluation of Class XII answer books beginning with the 2026 Board Examinations. The evaluation of Class X answer books will continue in physical mode for 2026. This initiative forms part of CBSE’s efforts to enhance efficiency, transparency, accuracy, and speed in the examination evaluation process.
The Board has outlined several benefits of OSM, including elimination of totalling errors, reduced manual intervention through automated processes, faster evaluation with broader teacher participation, savings in transportation time and costs, and environmentally sustainable digital assessment. Additionally, post-result verification requirements are expected to reduce due to improved accuracy, while enabling global participation of teachers from all affiliated schools.
CBSE has directed schools to ensure readiness in terms of required IT infrastructure, including computer labs with public static IP, adequate system specifications, updated browsers, reliable internet connectivity, and uninterrupted power supply. To facilitate implementation, the Board will conduct training programmes, dry runs, provide instructional materials, and establish a call centre for support.
[Notification No. CBSE/COORD/OSM/2026/4393/]
