CBSE Re-evaluation System Sparks Concern as Students' Marks Drop in Unrequested Subjects

Two Class 12 students from Faridabad have landed in an unexpected situation after applying for CBSE re-evaluation.

While the board increased their marks in the subjects they had requested to be reviewed, their revised marksheets also showed lower scores in subjects they never sought re-evaluation for, changing both students' overall result from 'Pass' to 'Repeat in Theory' (RT), as per TOI.

The cases, reported from DAV Public School in Faridabad, come amid concerns surrounding CBSE's new Online Scanned Marking (OSM) system, which has prompted complaints from several students over evaluation discrepancies, answer-sheet issues and revised marks.

How did the students' results change?

In the first case, a student applied for re-evaluation only in Chemistry and Home Science after the Class 12 results were declared on May 13.

The outcome initially appeared positive.

The student's Chemistry marks increased from 42 (RT) to 52 (Pass), while Home Science marks improved from 70 to 79.

However, when the revised marksheet was issued, the family noticed that the student's Mathematics marks had dropped from 46 to 40, even though no re-evaluation had been requested for that subject.

The reduction changed the student's overall result back to Repeat in Theory (RT).

The second student faced a similar issue.

The student had sought re-evaluation only in Physics and Computer Science, and both subjects received higher marks after review.

But the revised marksheet also showed Chemistry marks reduced from 52 (Pass) to 43 (RT), despite the paper never being part of the re-evaluation request.

The revised score again changed the student's overall status to RT.

Why are families concerned?

The families have complained to CBSE's regional office, arguing that marks in subjects outside the re-evaluation request should not have been altered.

They say the revised results have jeopardised college admissions at a time when counselling and university application deadlines are approaching.

According to the families, the issue now goes beyond marks and could cost both students an entire academic year if it is not resolved quickly.

What has the school said?

DAV Public School has also written to the CBSE Controller of Examinations, seeking urgent intervention and asking the board to verify how marks in unrelated subjects were changed.

The school's principal said the uncertainty has taken a significant emotional toll on the students and their families.

"The children are under immense stress. One parent told me they are not leaving the child alone even for a while because of the anxiety this has caused," the principal said.

According to the school, CBSE officials informally described the issue as a "policy matter", saying that while marks had increased where deserved, grace marks awarded earlier had been withdrawn.

However, the principal said the school was unaware of any such policy.

"We are unaware of any such policy, and no such notification has ever been issued by CBSE. If that is the basis, it should have been communicated transparently," she said.

What happens next?

The school has urged CBSE to examine the revised marksheets and clarify why marks in subjects that were never submitted for re-evaluation were changed.

Unless the issue is resolved quickly, both students may have to appear for compartment examinations despite improving their scores in the subjects they had actually requested to be re-evaluated.

The CBSE Controller of Examinations did not respond to calls or messages seeking comment, according to TOI.