CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) — How Class 12 Answer Books Were Marked in 2026

In 2026 CBSE marked every Class 12 answer book on screen for the first time — 98,66,622 answer books by about 70,000 evaluators. Answer books were scanned, and teachers marked the scanned copies on a computer, entering marks question by question while the system added them up. Results came out on 13 May 2026 with a pass rate of 85.20% (88.39% in 2025). Some students then reported blurred or missing pages and mismatched answer books; CBSE cut post-result fees and added a 'verification of issues observed' step to fix them.

If you're preparing for the Class 12 board exam, knowing how on-screen evaluation works helps you present answers well. The content you write doesn't change — but how clearly it reads on a scanned page matters. For the marks breakdown and question structure, see the Class 12 exam pattern.

What Is On-Screen Marking?

On-screen marking is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of marking a physical answer book with a pen, the examiner opens a scanned copy on a computer and awards marks with a mouse. CBSE says there is no difference in the evaluation itself: the same teachers use the same standardised marking scheme.

CBSE first considered OSM in 2014 but dropped it because answer books couldn't be scanned without cutting them. It returned to the idea once book scanners could scan an answer book without removing the binding; its Governing Body approved the plan in 2025, and OSM was used for the Class 12 board exams in 2026.

How CBSE On-Screen Marking Works — Step by Step

This is the process CBSE described in its OSM FAQ (18 May 2026):

1. Answer books reach CBSE regional offices — after the exam, answer books go to the concerned regional office, where their identity is concealed.
2. Scanning — answer books are scanned at the regional offices with book scanners, without cutting the spine. A first quality check happens during scanning.
3. Second quality check — a quality-control team checks that the whole answer book has been scanned properly, and the images are uploaded to the evaluation portal.
4. On-screen evaluation — teachers registered on CBSE's OASIS portal log in, mostly from their own schools, see the scanned answer book on screen and enter marks question by question as per the marking scheme. An evaluator can reject a copy that is blurred; it is scanned again.
5. Automatic totalling — the system adds up the question-wise marks.
6. Random checks — Additional Head Examiners and Head Examiners can randomly check answer books that have been evaluated.
7. Results — once evaluation is complete, marks are compiled and results published.

What Happened in 2026

The first full-scale year was not smooth for everyone. After the results on 13 May 2026, some students found blurred or missing pages or answer books that were not theirs in their scanned copies. CBSE responded by cutting the fee for scanned copies (from ₹700 to ₹100 per subject) and adding a 'verification of issues observed' step (₹100 per answer book) alongside re-evaluation of individual questions (₹25 per question). CBSE's portal also faced cyberattacks during this period; CBSE reported no data breach.

How to Present Your Answers for a Scanned Copy

None of these are CBSE rules — they are practical habits that make a scanned page easy to read:

What OSM Changes — and What It Doesn't

What it changes

• No totalling or posting errors — marks are entered question by question and added up by the system.
• Every answer gets a mark entry — CBSE says the system ensures every answer is evaluated completely.
• Less clerical work for evaluators — teachers focus on marking rather than adding and copying marks.
• A digital copy exists — which is what you receive when you ask for your scanned answer book.

What it doesn't change

• The marking scheme — the criteria are the same on screen and on paper.
• Who marks — teachers, not computers, judge every answer. That matters now that competency-based questions make up half of each paper.

Does On-Screen Marking Apply to Class 10?

No. In 2026 CBSE used on-screen marking only for Class 12 board exams. Class 10 answer books were evaluated in physical mode as before, and CBSE has not announced OSM for Class 10. The presentation tips above are still good practice for Class 10.

How to Write for Digital Evaluation

You don't need to change what you write. Paying attention to how you write helps when your answer is read from a scanned page.

1. Use a good pen — dark blue or black, one that gives a consistent line without smudging. Test it before exam day.
2. Don't overwrite — draw a single line through a mistake and write the correction nearby.
3. Keep your handwriting consistent — steady letter size and spacing read better than a rushed mix of large and tiny writing.
4. Respect the margins — keep your text inside the printed lines.
5. Number every answer and sub-part — write "Q.3(a)" or "Q.7(ii)" clearly before each answer.
6. Use headings and underlines for long answers — break 5-mark answers into visible parts and underline key terms.
7. Signal continuations — if an answer runs onto the next page, say so at the bottom of the page.

For a detailed guide on structuring board exam answers, see our answer writing guide for board exams.

Scanned Copies, Verification and Re-evaluation

OSM changed the post-result process for Class 12 in 2026. You first applied for the scanned copy of your answer book (₹100 per subject; 19–25 May 2026). After seeing it, from 2 to 7 June you could apply for 'verification of issues observed' (₹100 per answer book), for example a missing page or a question left unmarked, and/or for re-evaluation of specific questions (₹25 per question). Each re-evaluated answer book was checked by two evaluators, fees were refunded if marks went up, and outcomes were released in phases from 21 June.

Common Worries

• "Will the scanner miss part of my answer?" — CBSE ran quality checks at three levels, and evaluators could reject a poor scan. If something is still missing in your scanned copy, raise it through verification of issues observed.
• "Will my diagrams show up properly?" — Firm, well-labelled diagrams read clearly on a scan. Colour isn't needed.
• "Does OSM change the marking scheme?" — No. OSM changes the process of evaluation, not the criteria.

OSM doesn't make exams harder or easier. Prepare well, write clearly, and check your scanned copy if your result surprises you.

For all the other changes this year, read our guide to CBSE 2026 changes. And if you're still preparing, the CBSE Class 12 preparation guide has subject-wise strategies.

Based on CBSE's OSM circular (9 February 2026), Class XII result press release (13 May 2026), OSM FAQ (18 May 2026) and post-result notices of 17 May, 2 June and 21 June 2026. Verify the latest updates at cbse.gov.in.