Questions Raised Over CBSE's On-Screen Marking; Supreme Court Seeks Response

CBSE OSM System: CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system is once again in the spotlight. This time, the matter has reached the Supreme Court. During a hearing on Wednesday, the Court expressed concern over the students' plight, noting significant disappointment and dissatisfaction among them regarding this system.

CBSE OSM System: The Supreme Court has also sought the assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Government, regarding the issue of CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM). During the hearing, the bench—presided over by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant—remarked that the students' disappointment in this matter cannot be ignored.

What is the issue regarding CBSE's OSM?

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court. It seeks directions to the Central Government and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to formulate clear rules and guidelines for the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system used in exam evaluation. The petition argues that the digital evaluation process should be made more transparent, accountable, and student-friendly.

Supreme Court's remarks on student dissatisfaction

Observing the situation, the Supreme Court remarked on the extent of disappointment among young students. Consequently, the Court decided to seek the assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in the proceedings to explore a solution that takes all perspectives into account.

What is CBSE's OSM system?

On-Screen Marking (OSM) is a digital evaluation system. Under this process, examinees' answer sheets are first scanned. Teachers then award marks by viewing these scanned copies on a computer screen; they are not provided with the physical paper answer sheets for evaluation.

CBSE maintains that this process accelerates evaluation, ensures secure record-keeping, and simplifies procedures like moderation. However, some students and experts have consistently raised questions regarding transparency and technical issues associated with this system.

What impact will the court's decision have on students?

As of now, the Supreme Court has not delivered a final verdict. However, the court's observations make it clear that it is taking the students' concerns seriously. If the court subsequently directs the formulation of new rules or changes to the evaluation process, it could impact upcoming CBSE examinations and the assessment system.