IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

27 May 2026 : Score board

Article 1: Score board

Why in News: The NEET controversy and problems in CBSE’s On Screen Marking (OSM) system have sparked nationwide concern over transparency, evaluation errors, and institutional preparedness in India’s education system.

Key Details

  • NEET controversy exposed weaknesses in the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
  • CBSE introduced On Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 evaluation without adequate preparation.
  • Students reported mismatched answer sheets, missing supplementary pages, and unclear scans.
  • Over 1.25 lakh students applied to access nearly four lakh answer scripts for verification.
  • The government involved the IITs to assist in troubleshooting and improving the system.

NEET and CBSE Controversies

  • The NEET examination controversy exposed major weaknesses in India’s education system and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
  • While one wing of the NTA conducted JEE smoothly, another struggled to manage NEET effectively despite it being a crucial national-level exam.
  • At the same time, the CBSE’s introduction of On Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 answer evaluation created stress and confusion among nearly 18 lakh students.
  • Poor preparation, inadequate planning, and lack of expert consultation affected the implementation of the new system.
  • These incidents raised concerns about the reliability and preparedness of key educational institutions.

Problems in On Screen Marking (OSM)

  • Staff responsible for scanning answer sheets reportedly received limited training, and proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were missing.
  • Although nearly one crore answer sheets were scanned quickly, evaluators were not fully trained to use the digital interface.
  • Issues such as screen fatigue and its effect on marking accuracy were not properly assessed.
  • Ideally, OSM should have first been tested on a smaller sample of answer sheets alongside the traditional evaluation method.
  • Such pilot testing could have identified weaknesses and allowed corrections before nationwide implementation.

Impact on Students

  • The sudden shift to OSM appeared to cause a noticeable decline in student performance, which many believed was not accidental.
  • Students reported several problems after accessing scanned copies of their answer scripts.
  • Complaints included mismatched answer sheets, missing supplementary pages, unclear scans, and incomplete evaluations.
  • Many students also stated that they did not receive their scanned answer scripts despite applying for them.
  • Social media was flooded with grievances, increasing pressure on the CBSE to respond transparently.

CBSE’s Response and Re-evaluation Concerns

  • To reduce student dissatisfaction, the CBSE reduced fees for accessing answer scripts and for re-evaluation requests.
  • The board also promised refunds in cases where re-evaluation justified score changes.
  • More than 1.25 lakh students applied to access nearly four lakh answer scripts within hours of the application window opening.
  • Due to heavy demand, the deadline for accessing scripts was extended multiple times before closing on May 25.
  • However, the CBSE has still not clearly explained its full plan for conducting re-evaluation this year.

Need for Immediate and Long-Term Reforms

  • The involvement of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in troubleshooting reflects the seriousness of the issue.
  • The controversy threatens not only the credibility of CBSE but also the future opportunities of lakhs of students.
  • The immediate priority is to ensure a fair, transparent, and satisfactory re-evaluation process.
  • In the long run, authorities must identify the root causes behind these failures instead of treating them as isolated incidents.
  • Stronger planning, proper training, pilot testing, expert consultation, and accountability are essential to restore trust in India’s education system.

Conclusion

The NEET and CBSE evaluation controversies highlight serious gaps in planning, transparency, and accountability within India’s education system. Immediate corrective action is necessary to protect students’ interests and restore trust in public examinations. Long-term reforms should focus on proper training, pilot testing of digital systems, expert consultation, and stronger institutional mechanisms to ensure fairness, accuracy, and credibility in examinations.

EXPECTED QUESTION FOR UPSC CSE

Descriptive Question

“Recent controversies surrounding NEET and CBSE evaluations reflect deeper structural challenges in India’s examination system.” Discuss the causes, impact on students, and measures required to restore credibility and transparency. (!50 words, 10 marks)