Complete Guide for Class XII Board Exams

Requirements, Process & Latest Updates

Originally Published: February 9, 2026  |  Revised: February 27, 2026

🔴 LATEST UPDATES — February 2026 (Added in Revision)
✅ Mandatory Mass Mock Drill conducted on February 26, 2026
✅ OSM Monitoring Portal activated (February 23, 2026)
✅ CBSE Board Exams Class XII began February 17, 2026 — OSM now LIVE
✅ OSM scope clarified: Applies to Classes XI & XII teachers
✅ New student tips & educator reactions added

Introduction

In a major digital transformation initiative, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the introduction of On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class XII examinations starting in 2026. This change impacts nearly 46 lakh students appearing for board exams across India and 26 countries worldwide.

With Class XII board exams already underway since February 17, 2026, OSM is no longer an upcoming change — it is actively being implemented right now.

⚠️ Important NoteFor 2026, OSM will only be implemented for Class XII examinations.Class X answer books will continue to be evaluated in physical mode as before.

What is On-Screen Marking (OSM)?

On-Screen Marking is a digital evaluation system where teachers evaluate answer sheets on computer screens instead of physically marking paper answer books. The answer sheets are scanned and made available digitally to evaluators who can assess them from their own schools without traveling to centralized evaluation centers.

Key Benefits of On-Screen Marking

  1. Elimination of Totaling Errors — Automated calculation of marks removes human errors in addition.
  2. Reduced Manual Intervention — Automated coordination streamlines the entire evaluation process.
  3. Faster Evaluation — Digital marking enables quicker processing with participation from more teachers.
  4. Cost and Time Savings — No transportation required, saving both time and expenses.
  5. Teacher Convenience — Teachers can evaluate from their own schools while continuing regular duties.
  6. No Post-Result Verification Needed — Digital records eliminate the need for mark verification after results.
  7. Reduced Manpower — Less staff required for verification processes.
  8. Universal Participation — All affiliated schools globally can contribute to evaluation.
  9. Environmental Sustainability — Digital evaluation reduces paper usage and carbon footprint.
💬 What Educators Are Saying (New)Sudha Acharya, Principal — ITL Public School, Delhi:”The shift will minimise human errors, enable faster evaluation, and save teachers commuting time.”
⚠️ Some teachers have raised concerns about potential eye strain from long hours of screen-based evaluation.

Technical Requirements for Schools

To participate in OSM, schools must ensure the following infrastructure is in place:

Hardware Requirements

RequirementSpecification
Computer LabPublic Static IP (as per Affiliation Bye-Laws)
DevicePC / Laptop with Windows OS 8 or above
RAMMinimum 4 GB or higher
StorageAt least 1 GB free space on C:/ drive
PowerUninterrupted power supply (UPS)

Software Requirements

RequirementDetails
Internet BrowserLatest version of Chrome / Edge / Firefox
PDF ReaderAdobe Reader — Download from https://get.adobe.com/reader
Internet SpeedReliable connection with minimum 2 Mbps

How Does the OSM System Work?

The digital evaluation system follows a structured hierarchy with three levels of oversight:

RoleResponsibility
Head Examiner (HE)Oversees the entire evaluation process at the center
Associate Head Examiners (AHE)Supervise evaluator groups and review their assessments
EvaluatorsTeachers who perform the actual marking of answer books

Step-by-Step Evaluation Process

Step 1: Login Process

Evaluators receive login credentials from the Evaluation Center In-charge. Access the OSM portal at:

https://cbse.onmark.co.in/cbseevalweb

Login using your User ID, Password, and OTP sent to your registered mobile / email.

Step 2: Main Assessment Features

The OSM platform provides several tools to make evaluation efficient and accurate:

  • Zoom In/Out — Adjust page view using plus/minus controls for better readability
  • Page Rotation — Rotate pages by 90 degrees for proper viewing orientation
  • Award Marks — Right-click to access marks menu and assign scores to questions
  • Mark NA (Not Answered) — Designate questions not attempted by students
  • Annotations — Use tools like ‘Repeat Ans.’, ‘View’, and ‘Blank Page’ for special cases

Step 3: Quality Assurance Features

  • Marks Revision — Easy correction of marks already awarded using the delete function
  • Choice-Based Questions — Automatic handling when students attempt more questions than required
  • Script Comments — Add comments using the balloon icon for specific observations
  • Color-Coded Page Tracking — Green = annotated, Red = missing annotation; ensures every page is reviewed

Step 4: Special Cases Handling

  • UFM (Unfair Means) — Mark answer books showing malpractice with reason and remarks
  • Reject Answer Book — Option to reject scripts with proper justification
  • Question Paper & Solution Access — View question papers and marking schemes during evaluation

Step 5: Submission Process

  1. Review all marks before final submission
  2. System displays a confirmation window for final review
  3. Marks are uploaded to the CBSE server after confirmation
  4. Next answer book is automatically presented for evaluation

🆕 Mandatory Mass Mock Drill — February 26, 2026

⚡ Breaking UpdateCBSE issued a ‘very important’ notice directing all affiliated schools to participate in amandatory mass mock evaluation of the OSM system on February 26, 2026,before actual digital evaluation of answer sheets begins.

Key details of the mass mock drill:

  • All teachers of Classes XI and XII were required to log in from their respective schools during their allotted time slot and evaluate one answer book.
  • Teachers were instructed not to access the system beyond the scheduled slot.
  • Technical glitches must be documented and reported to principals.
  • Compiled feedback was to be emailed to CBSE at: osm@cbseshiksha.in
  • Participation was made compulsory. Principals were urged to ensure full compliance.

🆕 OSM Monitoring Portal — Activated February 23, 2026

CBSE activated a dedicated OSM Monitoring Portal to streamline the mock evaluation and the full evaluation process. Key features include:

  • A special dashboard for Principals and Heads of Schools
  • Ability to track individual teacher participation status
  • Tools to update contact details and resolve login-related issues
  • Real-time visibility into evaluation progress across the school

🆕 Important Tips for Students

Because OSM involves scanning physical answer sheets, students should note the following:

📝 Student Writing Tips for OSM1. Write clearly and neatly — answer sheets will be scanned and viewed on screen by evaluators.2. Maintain proper spacing between answers — cramped writing is harder to read on a monitor.3. Write answers in the CORRECT sections of the answer book for proper scanning flow.4. Avoid very light pencil writing — use a dark, clear pen as required.5. Do NOT write outside the designated answer space — it may not scan correctly.
Note: The exam pattern, syllabus, and question paper format remain completely UNCHANGED.

CBSE Support and Training

To ensure smooth implementation, CBSE has committed to providing comprehensive support to all stakeholders:

  1. System Familiarization — All teachers with OASIS IDs can log in and explore the system
  2. Multiple Dry Runs — Practice sessions scheduled before actual evaluation begins
  3. Training Programmes — Dedicated sessions to explain system functionality
  4. Call Center Support — Helpline for resolving technical issues
  5. Instructional Videos — Video tutorials available for better understanding
  6. User Manual — Comprehensive documentation available within the OSM system

Important Checklist for Teachers

✅ Teacher Action Checklist☐  Ensure OASIS ID is updated and active☐  Add bank account details in profile section (for remuneration processing)☐  Participate in mock drill / dry run sessions☐  Report any technical issues to principal and email osm@cbseshiksha.in☐  Ensure every page of every answer book is annotated during evaluation☐  Review evaluation reports regularly to track your progress☐  Note: AHE revisions will be visible in your evaluation reports

Timeline & Key Dates

DateEventStatus
February 9, 2026Official CBSE circular issued announcing OSM✅ Done
February 17, 2026CBSE Class XII Board Exams Begin✅ Ongoing
February 23, 2026OSM Monitoring Portal Activated✅ Done
February 26, 2026Mandatory Mass Mock Drill for all Class XI & XII teachers✅ Done
March–April 2026Actual OSM evaluation of Class XII answer books⏳ Upcoming
May 2026 (est.)Optional 2nd board exam / improvement exam for Class XII⏳ Upcoming

Related: CBSE Two Board Exams System 2026

ℹ️ Related Policy UpdateCBSE has also introduced an optional second ‘improvement’ exam for Class XII students.This exam will be held around May 2026 after results are declared.Students will be able to improve their marks in up to 3 subjects.The best score across both attempts will be counted for the final result.
Read full details: itxperts.co.in/blog/cbse-new-two-exam-pattern-class-10/

Conclusion

The introduction of On-Screen Marking represents a significant leap forward in CBSE’s digital transformation journey. With the system now live as of February 2026, schools, teachers, and students all need to be prepared.

For schools and teachers: ensure your OASIS IDs are updated, infrastructure meets requirements, and all teachers have completed the mock drill. Use the OSM Monitoring Portal dashboard to track readiness.

For students: focus on writing neatly and clearly in your answer books — the exam format itself is unchanged.

For any queries or clarifications, contact your respective Regional Director or CBSE directly:

📧 Official CBSE OSM ContactEmail: osm@cbseshiksha.inOSM Portal: https://cbse.onmark.co.in/cbseevalwebAdobe Reader Download: https://get.adobe.com/reader

Official Reference Documents

The following official CBSE documents are available for download on the original post:

  • OASIS Data Updation of Teachers for OSM (PDF)
  • Circular for On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class XII — February 9, 2026 (PDF)
  • CBSE Evaluator Manual (PDF)

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CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) 2026: Complete Guide for Class XII Board Exams | Requirements & Process