What is CBSE On-Screen Marking System? Know All About OSM for Class 12 Students

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken a major step toward modernizing board exam assessment with the introduction of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 board examinations. Designed to replace traditional manual evaluation of answer sheets, OSM digitizes the entire marking process, allowing teachers to evaluate scanned answer sheets directly on computers. This transformation aims to make evaluations faster, more accurate, transparent, and efficient benefitting lakhs of Class 12 students across India and abroad.

The modernization reflects CBSE’s ongoing efforts to embrace digital tools in education, align with global best practices, minimize errors in scoring, and ensure a more reliable evaluation experience for students.

What Exactly is On-Screen Marking (OSM)?

On-Screen Marking (OSM) is a digital evaluation system introduced by CBSE for the Class 12 board exams from the 2026 examination session onwards. Under this system:

• Physical answer books are scanned into high-quality digital formats.

• These digital answer sheets are uploaded to a secure portal.

• Evaluators log in with their credentials and mark answers on the screen instead of handling paper copies. 

OSM essentially replaces the traditional “paper-and-pen” checking method with a modern computer-based evaluation enabling teachers to assess from their schools or designated evaluation centres, provided they have the necessary technology infrastructure. 

Why CBSE Introduced OSM: Key Benefits

The shift to On-Screen Marking is backed by several educational and administrative advantages:

1. Improved Accuracy

By digitizing answer sheets:

• Totaling errors are eliminated through automated calculations.

• Manual mistakes in marking and totaling are drastically reduced.

2. Faster Evaluation and Results

Digital evaluation speeds up the marking process and reduces delays caused by physical transfer of answer books. This means results can be processed and published more quickly.

3. Greater Transparency

OSM reduces the risk of human bias and allows for better tracking and quality control since examiners mark answer sheets in a controlled software environment. 

4. Wider Teacher Participation

Teachers can evaluate answer scripts from their own schools or evaluation centres, minimizing disruption to their regular teaching duties and encouraging broader participation.

5. Reduced Logistical Burden

Since answer sheets are scanned and evaluated digitally:

• Transportation costs and handling time are reduced.

• There is less physical wear and tear on answer books.

6. Environmentally Friendly

OSM supports paperless evaluation practices, aligning with sustainable and eco-friendly goals in education.

How OSM Works: Step-by-Step

Here’s a simplified overview of the entire OSM workflow:

1. Answer Sheet Scanning: After exams, physical answer books are scanned into digital images.

2. Secure Upload: These scanned copies are uploaded to a secure portal accessible only to authorized evaluators.

3. Masked Identity: Identifying information may be masked to avoid evaluator bias.

4. Online Evaluation: Evaluators log in, view answer sheets on screen, and award marks directly within the system.

5. Automated Tools: Technology features like automated totaling and time tracking help ensure consistency.

6. Finalization & Reporting: Once marking is complete, results are processed and integrated into the official result system.

Infrastructure & Readiness: What Schools Need

For successful OSM implementation, CBSE has asked schools to prepare the following:

• Computer lab with Public Static IP and systems running Windows OS 8 or higher with minimum 4GB RAM.

• Latest internet browsers and Adobe Reader installed.

• Stable internet connectivity (minimum 2 Mbps) and uninterrupted power supply.

• Teachers will receive training, access to practice systems, and support materials like instructional videos.

This infrastructure push ensures schools and educators are ready for digital evaluation and can leverage OSM effectively.

How OSM Affects Class 12 Students

For students, OSM means:

• Faster and more reliable results, with fewer chances of marking anomalies.

• More accurate scoring due to automated checks and balances.

• Reduced manual errors in totaling or missing markings.

Students should continue focusing on quality answers, as the marking criteria remain academically driven. Digital only changes the delivery medium, not the assessment standards.

OSM vs Traditional Evaluation: Key Differences

Potential Challenges & Considerations

While OSM promises significant improvements, it also requires:

• Adequate digital infrastructure across schools.

• Training and adaptation by teachers and evaluation staff.

• Reliable internet access, especially in remote areas.

CBSE plans to conduct dry runs, training sessions, support hotlines, and instructional content to ease this transition.

The CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) system marks a defining moment in the board exam ecosystem. By embracing digital evaluation, CBSE aims to ensure faster results, transparent scoring, reduced errors, and wider participation of teachers all while aligning with global educational standards. As the Class 12 batch of 2026 and beyond prepares to experience this change firsthand, OSM stands as a major milestone in India’s journey toward modern, digital education systems.