CBSE Clarifies On-Screen Marking Integrity Following Security Compromise Claims and Result Backlash

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially refuted claims that its On-Screen Marking (OSM) portal was compromised, clarifying that the site identified in social media reports was a testing environment containing no actual student data. This statement follows significant public backlash regarding the accuracy of the digital evaluation system after Class 12 pass percentages dropped to 85.20% this year.

CBSE Addresses Digital Evaluation Security and Integrity

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a formal clarification on May 26, 2026, regarding social media reports alleging that its On-Screen Marking (OSM) portal had been compromised. The Board stated that the URL cited in these claims—http://cbse.onmark.co.in—is a testing site used exclusively for internal review and sample data.

According to the Board, the actual portal used for the evaluation of student answer books operates on a different URL that has remained secure. The CBSE emphasized that no actual marks, evaluation data, or sensitive student information are held on the testing site, and no security breaches have been detected on the platform deployed for official evaluation work.

Context of the Controversy: This clarification arrives during a period of heightened scrutiny for the Board. The declaration of Class 12 results on May 13, 2026, revealed a 3.19% decrease in the overall pass percentage compared to the previous year. This drop has left more than 1.63 lakh candidates in the “compartment” category, leading many families to question the efficacy of the newly re-introduced OSM system.

Clarification Regarding Claim of Compromise of CBSE OSM Portal

In a post made by a user on social media, it has been claimed that the CBSE On Screen Marking (OSM) bearing URL: https://t.co/cuLrvsxzOH was compromised by him on 26.02.2026. This has also formed the basis for a few…

— CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) May 26, 2026

The OSM system involves scanning physical answer scripts and uploading them to a secure server, where examiners evaluate them digitally rather than on paper. While the CBSE maintains this ensures stepwise marking, objectivity, and transparency, critics argue the digital transition eliminates the “informal moderation” historically provided by human examiners.

System Integrity and Recourse: In its latest communication, the CBSE reassured stakeholders that the actual evaluation platform utilizes strong safeguards to ensure integrity and prevent vulnerabilities. The Board previously noted that the digital process adheres to strict marking schemes developed by experienced educators, which include alternative answering methods to ensure fairness.

For students dissatisfied with their results, the Board has highlighted established grievance redressal mechanisms. These include:

• Verification of marks: A process to ensure all answers were graded and totals are correct.
• Full re-evaluation: Available for students who believe their scripts require a secondary review.

The CBSE maintains that the OSM system was implemented to enhance transparency and provide a uniform assessment standard across all regions.