CBSE Admits Answer Sheet Errors; Scripts on DigiLocker from 2027

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has acknowledged around 20 cases of answer sheet mismatch caused by scanning errors during the implementation of its On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for board examinations. The issue came to light after students accessed scanned copies of their answer scripts and discovered that some answer sheets did not belong to them. According to officials, the errors occurred during the scanning and uploading process of answer booklets to the digital evaluation portal. The board clarified that these cases represent a very small percentage of the total answer sheets processed during the 2026 board examination evaluation cycle.

CBSE officials stated that approximately 98 lakh answer scripts were scanned and uploaded to the OSM portal during the evaluation process. Out of these, nearly 68,000 answer sheets faced scanning quality issues and had to be rescanned. Even after rescanning, over 13,000 scripts remained unclear and were eventually evaluated manually. The board has also announced a major digital transparency initiative under which scanned answer sheets along with mark sheets will be made accessible through DigiLocker from 2027 onwards.

CBSE Explains Answer Sheet Mismatch in OSM Evaluation System

CBSE introduced the On-Screen Marking system to modernise the evaluation process and improve transparency in board examination checking procedures. Under the OSM system, physical answer booklets are scanned and uploaded digitally so evaluators can check scripts online. However, during the large-scale scanning process, a limited number of answer scripts were reportedly mismatched or uploaded incorrectly. Students noticed these discrepancies after accessing scanned copies of their answer sheets.

Officials familiar with the process stated that the issue was mainly linked to scanning and indexing errors during the upload stage rather than mistakes in actual answer evaluation. The board clarified that only around 20 mismatch cases were identified among lakhs of scanned scripts processed this year.

CBSE Board Exam Evaluation 2026 Data Highlights

CBSE has shared detailed statistics regarding the digital evaluation process implemented during the 2026 board examinations. The board stated that several quality control measures were already in place during scanning and digital processing. Despite this, some scripts faced technical clarity issues during uploading. The major highlights of the evaluation process are provided below.

Officials stated that technical improvements are being implemented to make the system more accurate and seamless in upcoming examination cycles.

IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur Experts Reviewing CBSE OSM System

CBSE has confirmed that experts from IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur are currently reviewing the On-Screen Marking system to improve efficiency and minimise future technical errors. According to board officials, technical teams are examining the software code, scanning workflow, and digital processing mechanism to strengthen the evaluation infrastructure. The experts are reportedly focusing on:

• Improving scanning accuracy
• Enhancing image clarity during uploads
• Reducing indexing mismatches
• Strengthening script verification systems
• Minimising technical glitches during evaluation

CBSE officials stated that the objective is to make the evaluation process fully seamless, transparent, and glitch-free in the coming years.

CBSE Says Technology Improves Transparency in Evaluation

The board defended the implementation of the digital evaluation process, stating that the OSM system improves fairness and transparency in board examinations. According to officials, digital evaluation allows better monitoring, secure handling of answer sheets, and faster processing compared to traditional checking methods.

The board acknowledged that technical systems may face occasional issues during initial implementation phases but maintained that corrective mechanisms are being introduced continuously. Officials also stated that students were able to identify mismatched answer scripts precisely because scanned copies had been made available digitally, highlighting increased transparency in the system.

Scanned CBSE Answer Sheets to Be Available on DigiLocker from 2027

In a major move towards digital accessibility, CBSE has announced that scanned answer scripts will now be available to students through DigiLocker along with digital mark sheets from the 2027 examination cycle. The initiative aims to provide students with direct access to their evaluated answer copies through a secure government-backed digital platform. Through DigiLocker integration, students are expected to access:

• Digital mark sheets
• Pass certificates
• Migration certificates
• Scanned answer sheets
• Other examination-related documents

The move is expected to reduce delays in obtaining answer scripts and improve transparency during re-evaluation and verification processes.

Why CBSE Introduced the On-Screen Marking System?

CBSE adopted the OSM evaluation system as part of its digital transformation initiative for board examinations. The system is designed to modernise answer sheet checking and streamline large-scale evaluation processes. The key objectives of the system include:

• Faster result processing
• Better monitoring of evaluators
• Improved transparency
• Reduction in physical handling of answer sheets
• Enhanced security of examination records

Under the digital system, evaluators can access answer scripts remotely through secure online platforms without physically transporting answer booklets. The board believes that the long-term advantages of digital evaluation outweigh temporary technical challenges experienced during implementation.

COEMPT Secured CBSE OSM Contract After Lowest Bid

According to official details, two major companies — COEMPT and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) — were shortlisted during the bidding process for implementing the On-Screen Marking system. CBSE reportedly selected COEMPT after the company submitted a lower financial quotation compared to TCS. The report stated that:

• COEMPT quoted approximately INR 24.75 per answer booklet
• TCS quoted around INR 65 per answer booklet

Following the financial evaluation process, the contract was awarded to COEMPT for handling the scanning and digital evaluation workflow. The board has not indicated any changes to the vendor arrangement despite the limited number of technical mismatch cases reported this year.

Students Raise Concerns After Viewing Scanned Answer Copies

Several students reportedly identified mismatches after viewing scanned copies of answer scripts made available during the verification process. In some cases, students claimed that the scanned booklet uploaded to their profile did not belong to them. This led to complaints being raised with CBSE authorities, after which the board investigated the issue.

Officials clarified that the mismatch cases were related to uploaded scanned copies and not necessarily linked to incorrect marks being awarded during evaluation. Students and parents have nevertheless demanded stronger verification measures to ensure such errors do not occur in future board examinations.

CBSE Expected to Strengthen Digital Evaluation Before 2027

CBSE is expected to introduce multiple technological improvements before fully integrating scanned answer sheets into DigiLocker from 2027 onward. The board is likely to strengthen:

• Barcode verification systems
• Script indexing mechanisms
• AI-based image validation tools
• Multi-layer quality checks
• Automated script matching systems

Education experts believe that large-scale digital evaluation systems require continuous upgrades and monitoring to ensure reliability and trust among students.The board has assured candidates that corrective measures are already being implemented with support from IIT experts and technical teams.

CBSE Continues Digital Transformation in Board Examinations

Over the past few years, CBSE has increasingly shifted towards technology-driven examination management systems. From digital mark sheets to AI-assisted monitoring and online evaluation platforms, the board has introduced several reforms to modernise academic administration. The integration of answer scripts into DigiLocker is being viewed as another major step towards increasing transparency and accessibility for students. Experts believe the move could significantly simplify processes such as:

• Verification of marks
• Rechecking requests
• Re-evaluation applications
• Academic record access
• Digital documentation

Students are advised to regularly monitor cbse.gov.in and DigiLocker notifications for future updates regarding answer script access and board examination policies.