Starting with the 2026 examinations, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for evaluating Class 12 answer books
For thousands of Class 12 students across the UAE, the anxious wait after board exams may soon feel shorter and more reassuring.
Starting with the 2026 examinations, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for evaluating Class 12 answer books, a shift principals here say will make the process faster, more transparent and more consistent.
While Class 10 answer scripts will continue to be checked physically in 2026, UAE school leaders say the move reflects CBSE’s wider push towards digital efficiency — and aligns well with the country’s own emphasis on technology-driven education.
Chitra Sharma, Principal of JSS Private School, Dubai, said the change is a “meaningful step forward” that mirrors the goals of national and global education reforms. She explained that for students, post-exam anxiety is often the hardest part, and OSM brings reassurance by ensuring scripts are digitised, randomly allocated and checked under strict monitoring.
“The introduction of On-Screen Marking (OSM) from the 2026 board examinations is a meaningful step forward, and it aligns well with the spirit of NEP 2020 and E33, which calls for greater transparency, use of technology, and reform in assessment practices,” she said.
In a region where schools are already supported by strong digital infrastructure and tech-savvy educators, headteachers reiterate that the transition feels both natural and timely.
“For students, the waiting period after exams can often be filled with anxiety. OSM brings an added layer of confidence and reassurance.”
For parents, Sharma stressed, fairness remains at the heart of the system — with technology acting as support, not a replacement, for academic judgment. “Since answer scripts are digitised and allocated randomly to trained examiners, evaluation becomes more structured and objective,” she said, adding that the system “eliminates manual totalling errors.”
In Sharjah, Pramod Mahajan, Principal of Sharjah Indian School, described the new system as meticulous and reliable, emphasising that every page — even blank ones — is accounted for.
“The system is completely fool proof. Every page is reviewed, marks are awarded properly, every question is checked — even blank pages are accounted for,” he said.
He explained that the answer scripts will, as always, be sent to New Delhi. Schools here that serve as centres — which is almost all of them — will host teachers who travel to the centres to evaluate the papers. Teachers with OASIS IDs will log into the system using their secure credentials, after which the uploaded answer scripts will appear on their screens for marking.
To ensure the smooth implementation of On-Screen Marking, CBSE has asked schools to be technically prepared. Schools must have:
“Teachers have been trained well, several dry runs have been conducted, and last year’s papers were corrected as part of the process.”
Mahajan emphasised that the blend of human expertise and machine precision would not only save time and money, but also raise the quality of correction.
“It’s a combination of machine and human intelligence — teachers’ expertise and subject knowledge are fully utilised,” he said, adding that the process will be “clear and consistent.”
Importantly, he believes OSM will also strengthen classroom teaching. “This will also help improve teaching techniques, because teachers will better understand where remarks are needed, what to write, and how to write,” he said.
For families seeking reassurance, Anurag Pathak, Academic Coordinator at Shining Star International School, said transparency and accountability are built into the digital system.
Every action, he explained, leaves a digital trail, strengthening trust in the evaluation process.
“Every marking action is digitally recorded, creating an audit trail that strengthens the integrity of the evaluation process,” he said.
“While the evaluation remains human-led in terms of academic judgment, the digital framework adds a layer of quality assurance that reinforces fairness and accuracy.”
From a leadership perspective, educators say the shift allows for real-time monitoring of examiners, faster result compilation, and deeper performance analytics — data that can shape future curriculum and teaching strategies.
However, school leaders are also candid about the challenges.
Rajani Manikonda, Senior Secondary Head at Global Indian International School (GIIS), said while digital evaluation improves storage, tracking and logistics, schools must prepare their teachers and systems carefully.
“Digital evaluation will help secure storage and tracking of the answer scripts in the long run,” she said.
“However, it poses challenges that include training teachers to adapt effectively to the system… and data security.”
© Khaleej Times
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