CBSE OSM row takes new turn amid claims of students being pressured to defend it online
Allegations of schools asking students to publicly endorse CBSE’s digital evaluation process have reignited concerns over transparency, accountability, and trust in high-stakes board exams
A fresh controversy has erupted around the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system after students alleged that schools were pressuring them to publicly support the digital evaluation process on social media.
The debate intensified after a Reddit post by a student claimed that teachers were instructing students to upload Instagram stories and posts declaring that they had “no problem with OSM checking” despite the growing criticism surrounding the system, according to a report by India Today.
“My school teachers are forcing us to post publicly on Instagram that I have this percentage under CBSE board in this stream and I have no problem with OSM checking,” the post read.
‘I feel traumatised’: Student
The student further alleged feeling “traumatised” even after clearing the examination, sparking wider discussion online about student pressure and institutional accountability.
Also Read: CBSE OSM row debate | ‘Students are losing trust in the government’
The claims made in the Reddit post, however, could not be independently verified. CBSE has also not issued any official statement regarding the allegations.
PM SHRI school videos draw attention
Around the same time, two videos shared by a PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya school in Jaipur on X added another dimension to the controversy. Though the posts were later deleted, the videos showed a student and a teacher praising the OSM system and describing it as fair, transparent, and efficient.
A student who scored 96 per cent said the digital evaluation process ensured “systematic and less biased” checking, adding that clearer scanned answer sheets reduced counting mistakes and skipped questions.
Also Read: How CBSE's OSM upgrade turned nightmarish for students | Blurred scans and mix-ups
He also described the system as transparent and confidence-building for students, saying marks were awarded strictly on the basis of written answers.
In another video, a Hindi teacher who worked as an Assistant Head Examiner during evaluation said the system significantly reduced checking time and improved efficiency.
According to her, evaluating 25 answer sheets under the earlier manual process would take nearly 10 hours, whereas the digital system reduced it to around five hours. She also termed the process eco-friendly and claimed the scanned answer sheets were clear and accurate.
Concerns over technical glitches persist
CBSE’s OSM system involves scanning answer sheets and uploading them digitally for evaluation instead of physically checking paper copies.
However, the system came under scrutiny after several students reported discrepancies during the post-result verification process. Complaints included blurred scanned pages, missing answer-sheet pages, and mismatches in answer scripts.
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In one reported case, answer sheets of two students were allegedly mixed up, raising concerns about the handling and mapping of scripts within the digital system.
Larger debate over transparency, student trust
What began as complaints about technical glitches has now evolved into a larger debate over transparency, student trust, and the ability of students to question evaluation systems without feeling compelled to publicly defend them.
Also Read: CBSE admits answer sheet error after Class 12 student labelled ‘Pakistani’ online
As digital evaluation becomes increasingly common across India’s education system, the latest controversy has once again highlighted the need for reliable technology, transparent communication, and institutional accountability in board examinations.