On Screen Marking (OSM) in CBSE Exams

CBSE has introduced on screen marking (OSM) in CBSE board exams. Now your answersheets will be evaluated online in PDF format. Let’s understand how it works.

What is On Screen Marking (OSM)?

On-Screen Marking (OSM) is a digital method of evaluating examination answer books in which examiners assess scanned copies of students’ responses on a secure online platform instead of checking physical paper scripts.

In the context of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), OSM involves the following process:

• Scanning of answer books: Students’ physical answer sheets are scanned at designated centers to create high-quality digital copies.
• Secure digital access: Examiners log in to a protected evaluation portal to view the scanned answer books.
• Online marking: Marks are awarded on-screen using digital tools, following predefined marking schemes.
• Automated checks: The system performs validations such as totaling of marks and consistency checks, reducing human error.
• Centralized monitoring: The Board can track evaluation progress in real time, ensuring uniformity and transparency.

Overall, OSM enhances accuracy, efficiency, confidentiality, and transparency in the evaluation process while significantly reducing logistical challenges associated with handling physical answer books.

Benefits for On Screen Marking (OSM)

On-Screen Marking (OSM) improves evaluation accuracy by eliminating totaling errors and automating processes, thereby reducing manual intervention and verification workload. It enables faster assessment with wider participation of teachers from affiliated schools worldwide, while allowing them to continue their regular duties without travel. OSM also reduces transportation costs, enhances transparency, and supports an environmentally sustainable, paper-efficient evaluation system. The following benefits of On-Screen Marking (OSM) have been envisaged:

1. Elimination of errors in the totaling of marks.
2. Automated coordination significantly reduces manual intervention.
3. Faster evaluation with the participation of a larger pool of teachers.
4. Savings in transportation time and associated costs.
5. Teachers can remain in their own schools and continue with regular duties.
6. Post-result verification of marks will no longer be required.
7. Reduced manpower requirements for verification activities.
8. Opportunity for all schools to contribute to the evaluation process.
9. Involvement of teachers from all affiliated schools across the globe.
10. An environmentally sustainable and paper-efficient digital evaluation system.

Infrastructure Required in Schools

Schools must ensure adequate infrastructure readiness, including a computer lab with a public static IP, updated PCs or laptops meeting minimum system requirements, the latest internet browsers, Adobe Reader, reliable internet connectivity of at least 2 Mbps, and uninterrupted power supply to support smooth operations. Schools are requested to ensure readiness by providing the following facilities:

1. A computer laboratory with a Public Static IP, as mandated under the Affiliation Bye-Laws.
2. PCs or laptops equipped with Windows OS 8 or above, a minimum of 4 GB RAM, and at least 1 GB of free space on the C: drive.
3. An updated internet browser such as Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, or Firefox.
4. Adobe Reader, downloadable from the official Adobe website.
5. Stable and reliable internet connectivity with a minimum speed of 2 Mbps.
6. An uninterrupted power supply to support continuous operations.

CBSE Support on OSM

To ensure smooth implementation, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will allow all teachers with OASIS IDs to log in and familiarise themselves with the system, conduct multiple practice dry runs, and organise training programmes to explain its functioning. In addition, a dedicated call centre will be established for issue resolution, and instructional videos will be released to enhance understanding and ease of use.

To facilitate smooth implementation, CBSE will:

• Allow all teachers with OASIS IDs to log in and familiarise themselves with the system.
• Conduct multiple dry runs for practice.
• Organise training programmes to explain the system.
• Establish a call centre for issue resolution.
• Release instructional videos for better understanding.

Video Tutorial on On Sceen Marking

CBSE Official Webinar on OSM