CBSE Rejects OSM Allegations: What Students and Parents Need to Know About the 2026 Results Controversy
CBSE dismisses allegations of technical errors in its On-Screen Marking system following the Class 12 results 2026, claiming transparency in the Coempt Edutech contract award process.
AC Team
When CBSE released the Class 12 board exam results on May 13, 2026, nobody expected the storm that would follow. Within days, thousands of students and parents flooded social media with complaints about blurred answer sheets, missing pages, and marks that seemed too low to be accurate.
The controversy centres around CBSE's new On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, a digital evaluation method that was supposed to make the marking process more transparent and efficient. Instead, it has become the subject of a nationwide debate affecting the futures of approximately 18.5 lakh students.
What Exactly Went Wrong?
Students across the country started noticing problems as soon as they requested their scanned answer sheets. Many discovered their answer sheets were blurred and difficult to read. Some found pages missing entirely. Others noticed handwriting that didn't match their own, suggesting answer sheets might have been mixed up.
The complaints were particularly strong from students who appeared for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics exams. Many felt their marks were lower than expected, raising questions about whether teachers could properly evaluate answers on the digital platform.
A record 4.4 lakh students requested scanned copies of their answer sheets. This number alone tells you how widespread the concern became. The system also faced server crashes and payment issues when students tried to access their papers.
CBSE Responds to the Crisis
On May 27, CBSE issued an official statement through its X account (formerly Twitter) addressing these concerns. The board firmly rejected all allegations of irregularities in the OSM system.
CBSE clarified that it followed all proper procedures when awarding the contract to Coempt Edutech. The board stated it released a Request for Proposal (RFP) on the Central Public Procurement Portal on August 28, 2025, following General Financial Rules. According to CBSE, the contract was awarded to the qualified bidder through a completely transparent process.
The board maintained that problems were isolated incidents. Out of 98 lakh answer sheets evaluated, only 13,000 required corrections. CBSE also clarified that it did not use artificial intelligence in the evaluation process.
The Coempt Edutech Connection
The controversy deepened when people discovered Coempt Edutech's history. The Hyderabad-based company was previously known as Globarena Technologies. In 2019, this company was involved in problems with the Telangana Intermediate board results that affected lakhs of students.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised serious questions about why CBSE gave a contract to a company with such a troubled past. He demanded an independent judicial inquiry and the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). His concerns were reported by The Hindu BusinessLine and gained significant attention.
The company won the contract by successfully competing in both technical and financial bids during the RFP process. They provided the OSM platform called OnMark for the evaluation.
What Students Are Demanding
Students, parents, and teachers are now calling for concrete solutions. The main demands include grace marks for affected students, re-examination options, or manual rechecking of answer papers.
The situation has become serious enough that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Allahabad High Court seeking justice for affected students.
The issue goes beyond just marks on paper. For many students, these results determine college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and career paths. The uncertainty is taking a toll on their mental health and future planning.
Looking at Both Sides
CBSE introduced the OSM system with good intentions. Digital evaluation was meant to bring more transparency and reduce human errors in marking. In theory, having answer sheets evaluated on screen should allow for better quality control and faster processing.
However, the implementation appears to have faced serious challenges. Whether these were teething troubles of a new system or fundamental flaws remains a point of debate.
CBSE has extended deadlines multiple times for students to request reevaluation and scanned copies. The board maintains it is addressing problems as they arise and working to correct any genuine errors.
What This Means for Future Exams
This controversy raises important questions about how board exams will be evaluated going forward. Digital systems can offer many advantages, but they need to be thoroughly tested and reliable before being used for high-stakes examinations.
The education board will need to review what went wrong and implement better safeguards. Students and parents deserve a system they can trust, especially when results have such significant implications for young people's futures.
What Should Students Do Now?
If you are an affected student, stay calm and follow the official channels. Keep checking the CBSE website for the latest updates on reevaluation dates and procedures. Make sure you meet all deadlines for requesting scanned copies or reevaluation.
Document any discrepancies you find in your answer sheets with screenshots and clear descriptions. If you believe there has been a genuine error, file your complaint through the proper channels rather than relying solely on social media.
Remember that CBSE has acknowledged some issues and is working on corrections. While the process might be frustrating, following official procedures gives you the best chance of getting your concerns addressed.
The coming weeks should bring more clarity as CBSE processes the thousands of reevaluation requests. Students deserve answers, and the education system owes them a fair and accurate evaluation of their hard work.
