CBSE OSM controversy: Blurred Class 12 scans, portal glitches and 1.27 lakh applications
Students shared screenshots of blurred Class 12 scanned answer sheets on social media, thrusting the CBSE OSM controversy back into the spotlight after reports of portal failures and payment issues. The board said the portal worked and that 1.27 lakh applications for 3.87 lakh scanned answer books were submitted within three hours on May 20, 2026 .
CBSE OSM controversy: what the board says
CBSE rejected claims that scanning under the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system was done improperly, calling such allegations “factually incorrect.” The board also highlighted the application numbers to show portal functionality. The portal deadline to download Class 12 answer sheets has been extended to May 23 , and re-evaluation applications will open from May 26, 2026 .
CBSE has reduced the re-evaluation fee to Rs 100 , and students must apply on the official CBSE portal and pay the required fee to obtain scanned copies or file for re-evaluation.
CBSE OSM controversy: student complaints and immediate impact
Students reported blurred scans that made even their own handwriting hard to read. Several said that despite paying, application status remained unchanged and the portal often became inaccessible. Many posted evidence of payment deductions without a successful application status.
Complaints also covered tele-counselling support, which students said did not resolve payment or portal issues. Social media posts claimed missing step marking in subjects that require detailed calculations, raising concerns about how marks were awarded during digital evaluation.
Those affected have demanded manual checking, greater transparency in evaluation, and clearer information on step marking—arguments that intensified after the dip in Class 12 pass percentage.
What remains unanswered
CBSE has not issued a separate timeline for investigating the blurred-scan allegations or provided technical details explaining why some scans appear unclear. The board also has not published a step-by-step grievance or refund process for students who report payment deductions without application confirmation.
Students planning re-evaluation should note the May 26 start date and the Rs 100 fee, and keep transaction receipts until portal status updates. The number of applications submitted on May 20 shows high engagement but also reflects widespread concern among examinees.
Authorities are expected to monitor the OSM process closely in the coming days as the re-evaluation window opens and more students request scanned copies and reviews.