The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed serious concerns over alleged irregularities at the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on-screen marking system (OSM) for evaluating class 12 answer sheets. The bench observed that the digital assessment process appeared to be causing major difficulties to students and sought a detailed response from the Center on the steps being taken to address the issue. Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said there seemed to be growing concern over the implementation of the digital assessment system. The bench also comprised Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana
The Supreme Court notes the students’ frustration
During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked that students were facing considerable frustration due to issues related to the digital correction process. “Look at the amount of frustration from the little kids,” observed the Speaker as he addressed the concerns raised in the petition. The bench further indicated that there appeared to be “rampant problems” in the on-screen assessment mechanism that required closer examination. Justice Joymalya Bagchi also clarified that the court was not approaching the issue adversarially, but was seeking the Centre’s help in understanding the larger concerns.
The center asked for the presentation status report
The bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to attend the court and directed the Center to submit a status report explaining the steps taken to address the alleged deficiencies in the OSM system. The matter has been posted for a further hearing next week.
PIL seeks major reforms in CBSE’s OSM system
The PIL was filed by Rakesh Binjola through advocate Laxmikant Matadan Shukla. It seeks constitution of a high-powered committee to monitor and reform CBSE’s on-screen marking system. The petition also urges the Center and the CBSE to frame comprehensive regulations governing the conduct of board exams assessed through the digital marking process.
What is the On-Screen Markup System (OSM)?
CBSE’s On-Screen Marking System (OSM) is a digital assessment process under which teachers evaluate scanned copies of students’ handwritten answer sheets on computers instead of manually evaluating the original physical scripts. The system was introduced to improve efficiency, reduce delays and standardize the assessment process. However, the PIL alleges that certain discrepancies in the digital assessment mechanism may have adversely affected the final scores of the students.
Relief was sought for the affected students
Apart from seeking reforms, the petition has also asked for interim measures for students who may have suffered due to the alleged deficiencies in the evaluation process. Key demands include:
- Relaxation of the minimum qualifying marks for the affected 12th class students.
- Protection for candidates who have already secured provisional admissions or qualifying entrance exams but may lose eligibility due to disputed board marks.
- Exemption from the minimum percentage requirements of class 12, including the 75 percent eligibility criterion prescribed by certain higher education institutions and admission processes.
The plea argues that students should not suffer academic setbacks if discrepancies are ultimately established in the evaluation system.
The Center says the Commission is already looking into the issue
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that many of the individual complaints related to the mark sheet highlighted in the petition had already been resolved. However, he assured the bench that the government was taking the wider concerns about the OSM system seriously. Mehta informed the court that a one-member committee headed by S. Radha Chauhan had already been constituted to examine the functioning of the screen marking system and recommend necessary reforms. He further stated that the commission was reviewing the complaints raised in the petition and would suggest systemic improvements to strengthen the assessment process.
Matter to be heard next week
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court directed the Solicitor General to record the steps taken by both the CBSE and the Union government to address concerns related to the digital assessment system. The matter will now come up for hearing next week, when the court is expected to review the government’s response and the progress made to look into the alleged deficiencies in the CBSE’s on-screen marking process.