The Delhi High Court sought responses from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Union Government on a petition filed by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) concerning the implementation of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for the evaluation of Class XII board examination answer sheets. The petition raised concerns regarding the functioning of the new evaluation mechanism and alleged that several students had been adversely affected due to errors and discrepancies associated with the system. The Court issued notices to the concerned authorities and fixed the matter for further consideration after obtaining their responses.
The proceedings arose from a plea filed by NSUI challenging the recently introduced digital evaluation process. According to the petition, the OSM system had resulted in inconsistencies in the assessment of answer sheets and had affected the academic interests of students. The petitioner sought judicial intervention and requested that the Court direct a fresh verification of answer scripts and an independent inquiry into the alleged irregularities connected with the evaluation process. It was contended that students had raised numerous complaints regarding the marking pattern and the accuracy of the results generated through the new system.
During the hearing, the petitioner argued that the introduction of the OSM system had led to widespread concern among students and parents. It was submitted that a number of students who had consistently performed well in academic assessments had allegedly received unexpectedly low marks. The petition maintained that these complaints warranted a detailed examination of the evaluation process and the manner in which answer sheets were assessed under the digital framework. According to the petitioner, transparency and fairness in board examinations were matters of significant public importance because they directly affected students’ educational prospects and future opportunities.
The Court was informed that the petition sought a direction for fresh verification of answer sheets and an inquiry into the functioning of the OSM system. The petitioner contended that the alleged discrepancies were not isolated incidents but reflected broader concerns regarding the reliability of the evaluation mechanism. It was argued that the interests of students required an independent review so that confidence in the examination process could be maintained. The plea emphasized that board examination results play a crucial role in admissions and career opportunities and therefore any doubts regarding evaluation deserved prompt attention.
On behalf of CBSE, opposition was expressed to the manner in which the controversy had developed. The Board maintained that educational issues should not be politicised and urged that the matter be viewed from the standpoint of academic administration rather than political considerations. CBSE defended the evaluation framework and questioned attempts to convert the issue into a political controversy. It was submitted that educational institutions and examination processes should be allowed to function without being drawn into partisan disputes. The Board emphasized that education should remain insulated from political agendas and public controversies that could undermine confidence in academic institutions.
The Court, however, focused on the grievances placed before it and considered it appropriate to seek responses from the concerned authorities. Rather than expressing any final opinion on the merits of the allegations, the Bench directed the Union Government and CBSE to place their positions on record. The Court indicated that the issues raised in the petition required examination after receiving the responses of all concerned parties. Consequently, notices were issued and time was granted for filing replies.
The petition highlighted concerns regarding the transparency of the OSM system and sought greater scrutiny of the evaluation process. According to the petitioner, students deserved assurance that their answer sheets had been assessed accurately and fairly. The plea stressed that any shortcomings in the evaluation mechanism could have far-reaching consequences because examination results influence admissions to higher educational institutions and other academic opportunities. The petitioner therefore urged that appropriate safeguards be introduced and that complaints relating to evaluation be properly investigated.
The Court’s decision to issue notices did not amount to a finding on the validity of the allegations raised in the petition. Instead, the order reflected the Court’s view that the issues presented warranted a response from the authorities responsible for conducting and supervising the examinations. By seeking replies from CBSE and the Union Government, the Court ensured that all relevant perspectives would be available before any further consideration of the matter.
The controversy surrounding the OSM system emerged after concerns were raised regarding the evaluation of Class XII answer sheets under the new digital process. The petitioner alleged that the system had produced discrepancies affecting students and sought judicial intervention to address those concerns. The plea called for fresh verification of answer sheets and an independent probe into the implementation and functioning of the evaluation mechanism. CBSE, on the other hand, maintained that education should not be politicised and opposed attempts to treat the issue as a political controversy.
After hearing the preliminary submissions, the Delhi High Court directed the Union Government and CBSE to file their responses to the petition. The matter remains pending before the Court for further consideration. The proceedings will continue after the authorities place their replies on record, at which stage the Court is expected to examine the issues raised regarding the On-Screen Marking system and the reliefs sought by the petitioner.
0 Comments
Thank you for your response. It will help us to improve in the future.