CBSE to reintroduce on-screen marking for Class XII in 2026 Board Exams

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to reintroduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class XII as part of its initiatives for the 2026 Board Examinations. The move forms part of a broader set of reforms aimed at strengthening examination and evaluation processes.

On-Screen Marking is a digital evaluation system in which scanned answer scripts are assessed by teachers on computers, with marks calculated automatically through software.

Board Examinations 2026 Schedule And Scale

CBSE will conduct the Secondary and Senior Secondary Board Examinations 2026 for students of more than 31,000 affiliated schools in India and 26 countries abroad. The examinations are scheduled to be held from February 17, 2026 to 10 April 2026.

Approximately 46 lakh students are expected to appear for the examinations at more than 8,074 centres across India and abroad.

Three Key Initiatives For 2026

For the academic year 2026, the Board has introduced three major initiatives:

• Second Board Examinations in Class X
• On-Screen Marking for Class XII
• Division of Question Paper in subjects Science and Social Studies for Class X

CBSE stated that conducting examinations at such a large scale requires meticulous planning and effective execution at both examination and evaluation centres. It is therefore essential to communicate amended policies and new measures to all functionaries involved.

Live Webcast To Explain Guidelines

To familiarise schools and officials with the updated guidelines, the Board will organise a live webcast on  February 13, 2026 from 11 am onwards. The session will last approximately two hours and will be streamed on CBSE’s YouTube channel via the link: https://youtube.com/live/Mcx21zdFJo4?feature=share. It can also be accessed by searching BoardExams@CBSE on YouTube.

All schools have been instructed to make arrangements to view the webcast under the supervision of the Principal. Teachers of Classes IX to XII and staff involved in examination and evaluation processes are required to attend and note important instructions. RDs/ROs and their officials will also participate.

Schools must upload a geotagged photograph of participants and the total number of attendees on the ASAR app, available on the Google Play Store.

The webcast will begin with a keynote address by Sh. Rahul Singh (IAS), Chairperson, CBSE. The Board expressed confidence that the session would adequately prepare stakeholders for the upcoming CBSE Board Examinations 2026.