The Supreme Court is investigating systemic issues in the CBSE's digital answer sheet evaluation process following student grievances. The government has formed a one-member committee to propose reforms, with the Solicitor General assisting the court in the ongoing matter.
The Supreme Court of India today expressed significant concern regarding the digital marking system used by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant highlighted that students have faced persistent frustration due to flaws in the on-screen marking process, which involves the digital evaluation of scanned answer sheets.
While addressing a public interest litigation filed by Rakesh Binjola, the court noted that specific mark sheet discrepancies raised in the petition have largely been settled. However, the bench emphasized that the broader, systemic problems within the digital evaluation framework require urgent attention. To address these issues, the court has enlisted the assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, moving toward a collaborative solution rather than an adversarial legal process.
The government informed the court that a one-member commission, headed by S. Radha Chauhan, is currently conducting a thorough review of the evaluation system. This committee is tasked with identifying the root causes of the reported technical and process-related issues and recommending necessary systemic reforms to prevent future occurrences.
The ongoing legal proceedings also include requests for the formalization of regulations to govern the digital marking system, as well as the potential establishment of a high-powered committee to oversee long-term improvements. Additionally, the petitioners have sought relief for students regarding minimum qualifying marks and class attendance requirements for university admissions, which may be impacted by the ongoing evaluation issues.
The Supreme Court has directed the Solicitor General to provide a detailed update on the progress of the reforms and the steps being taken by the CBSE. The matter is scheduled for further hearing next week, which will be a key monitorable for understanding potential changes to the board's evaluation standards and their impact on student admissions and academic timelines.