CBSE Class 12 re-evaluation: Students allege OSM scanned answer sheets mismatch; board issues clarifications

Some CBSE Class 12 students have alleged that scanned answer sheets shared during re-evaluation did not match their handwriting, raising concerns about possible answer-book mismatches in the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. After complaints spread on social media, the Central Board of Secondary Education said it is prioritising such cases, issuing clarifications and corrections, including updating results where needed.

CBSE has begun addressing complaints from Class 12 students who reported problems during the re-evaluation process. Some students said the scanned answer sheets shared online did not match their handwriting. The claims raised concerns about possible mix-ups in the On-Screen Marking OSM system. After the issue spread on social media, CBSE started replying to affected students with clarifications.

A board source said cases about alleged answer-sheet mismatch were being handled on priority. The source said CBSE was taking up every complaint received online or offline. Senior officials were also speaking with students and parents to settle concerns. The source said the matter was not limited to one student, and several cases were under review.

CBSE re-evaluation process complaints over OSM answer sheets

The latest scrutiny followed a viral post by a Delhi-based student, Vedant. Vedant claimed the Physics answer sheet uploaded for re-evaluation was not Vedant’s. Vedant’s post drew more than 2.5 million views on X. As other students echoed similar issues online, CBSE said a correct copy of Vedant’s answer book was sent, and result updates were being processed.

In its reply to Vedant on X, CBSE said, Thank you for bringing your concern regarding your Physics answer book to our attention. Upon review, the matter has been examined, and the correct copy of your answer book has been sent to your registered email address. Necessary action for updating your result, as applicable, is also being undertaken accordingly.

CBSE added, We appreciate your patience and assure you of our continued support.

Vedant later wrote that the board had shared the correct document. We have got correct answer sheet by CBSE. CBSE officials reached out to us in the evening and has sent my answer sheet. We were correct on our claims and the answer sheet indeed got exchanged, he said on X. Vedant also said Vedant would still seek re-evaluation after checking it carefully.

CBSE re-evaluation process posts raise handwriting mismatch claims

Vedant had earlier linked the issue to low Physics marks. After receiving unexpectedly low marks in Physics, we applied for photocopies of my answer sheets through the CBSE re-evaluation process. Today we received the copies. And I am shattered because the Physics answer sheet uploaded by CBSE is not mine, the student wrote on X. Vedant said the sheet differed from other subjects and personal notes.

Explaining the differences, Vedant wrote, The handwriting style, letter formation, spacing, slant, sentence flow -- everything is different. This is not a minor variation. It is completely different writing, he said. Vedant also questioned whether the correct paper was assessed. If this is true, then what exactly was evaluated under my roll number? My paper? Or someone elses? he wrote.

Vedant urged checks of the original Physics script and the tagging process. Vedant asked CBSE to audit scanning and investigate any possible exchange. Vedant also asked the board to ensure the correct paper was evaluated for marks. I urge CBSE to look into this answer sheet exchange issue more clearly and deeply for all the other students who are facing this same issue as me.

CBSE re-evaluation process draws trolling and public defence

As Vedant’s post gained traction, some users questioned the new X handle. A few people labelled Vedant anti-national and Pakistani. Others defended Vedant online, including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. The family later said the account was created to raise the concern, as they felt there was no clear way to report the issue.

Vedant’s brother Siddhant Srivastava said the family faced abuse based on account details. I am the brother of Vedant and I am appalled by seeing how people are calling us Pakistani. Yes, Vedant did not have Twitter because he was busy studying instead of tweeting, and we made this account for tweeting his genuine issues because we could not apply for reevaluation, Siddhant said.

Siddhant said the problem surfaced after the family sought re-evaluation for several subjects. When he Vedant said that it Physics answer sheet was not his, I did not believe him. But when I independently checked it myself, I saw that the handwriting in the Physics answer sheet was completely different. The style of writing answers was different; everything was different. That is when I realised he was right, Siddhant toldVideos.

Siddhant said the family also emailed CBSE and posted a video on Instagram. That is why we had to take to Twitter to make CBSE aware of the matter, he said. Siddhant also described how people focused on the account region setting. People began claiming that we were Pakistani because our account showed the South Asia region. Even some very prominent anchors and public figures, without verifying anything, claimed that since it showed South Asia, the tweet must have originated from Pakistan. That deeply hurt us, he said.

CBSE re-evaluation process concerns prompt calls on OSM testing

Siddhant called for deeper checks before major technology changes in exams. CBSE was an institution where such problems were earlier unheard of. But after the introduction of OSM, these problems are now surfacing in CBSE as well. Even if OSM has to be introduced, it should be implemented phase-wise and only after proper testing before being rolled out for the general public. No decision should be taken hastily, he added.

Another student, Sanjana, made a similar claim about Chemistry. Sanjana said the first page with personal details looked correct. Sanjana said the pages inside did not match Sanjana’s handwriting. Sanjana later said CBSE confirmed the concern after an email exchange. Update: CBSE replied to our email and confirmed that our concern regarding the Chemistry answer sheet was valid. Thankyou to everyone who helped bring attention to this. Your support meant a lot. Waiting for the next steps from cbse now, she said.

Sanjana also shared a screengrab of a CBSE email. It said: Dear Candidate, We have received your complaint regarding wrong chemistry answer sheet photocopy received by you. We have looked into the matter and found your concern to be correct. We have located your correct answer book. You will shortly be provided your correct evaluated answer book of chemistry. Further, your result will also be updated subsequently based on the correct marks in chemistry. Best wishes, Joint Secretary, Coordination Unit, CBSE.

The allegations came alongside wider complaints about the post-result process. Students have flagged blurry scans, missing pages, and mark differences during verification. CBSE, through its source, said all such matters were being checked seriously. The board said some cases had already been resolved while others were still being examined.

With inputs from PTI