SC declines to reopen CBSE re-evaluation portal for Class 12 OSM results
The Supreme Court refused to order reopening of CBSE's re-evaluation portal for Class 12 under the On-Screen Marking system. The portal had been open for a defined period, during which 1.68 lakh students applied, prompting complaints about access and scanning issues.
Key takeaways
- The top court did not compel CBSE to reopen the re-evaluation portal for Class 12 under OSM.
- CBSE reported 1.68 lakh applicants within the originally notified window.
- The decision follows a challenge alleging irregularities in the digital evaluation process and scanner issues.
What Happened
The Supreme Court decided not to direct CBSE to reopen its portal for the re-evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets assessed under the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. The court noted that the window had been available to all candidates for a specified duration, and reopening could lead to new claims. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, observed that if applicants did not use the opportunity when it was available, reopening would not be appropriate. The petitioner’s counsel sought only one additional week, arguing that the website had crashed and many students could not apply for on-screen verification.
CBSE’s position, presented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, stated that 1.68 lakh students had successfully applied during the notified window. The Delhi High Court had previously dismissed a similar challenge.
Why It Matters
The decision narrows avenues for students seeking re-evaluation under the OSM framework, which digitalizes the grading of scanned answer sheets. Advocates argued that the digital process could suffer from irregularities such as incomplete scanning or illegible copies, raising concerns about fairness and accuracy in marks allocation. By declining to reopen, the court preserves the original window’s closure and the current set of re-evaluation claims.
Background
CBSE introduced the On-Screen Marking system to evaluate digitized copies of physical answer sheets rather than traditional paper-based review. Critics had alleged procedural flaws with the implementation, including issues with scanning certain pages and visibility of scanned content. The matter had previously seen a Delhi High Court challenge, which was dismissed before reaching the Supreme Court.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court declined to order reopening of CBSE’s re-evaluation portal for Class 12 OSM results.
- The portal was available to all candidates for a defined period.
- CBSE reported 1.68 lakh applications during the notified window.
- A plea argued that the portal’s access problems affected eligibility for on-screen verification.
- The Delhi High Court had dismissed a similar challenge prior to the Supreme Court proceedings.
What Happens Next
The decision implies no immediate reopening of the re-evaluation portal. Students who did not apply within the official window must rely on the existing results and any other remedies available within the established process, as no new window is expected to be opened by the court’s direction.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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