Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Apar Gupta Questions CBSE’s Digital Answer-Script Evaluation System
Apar Gupta has concerns about a new computer-based way for CBSE to mark exam papers.
He says the system should help students and teachers, not just make administration easier.
He raised questions about whether it was properly planned and whether people can get help if something goes wrong.
Gupta also questioned how the company providing the system was chosen.
He said teachers may have to mark 20 to 25 papers a day while still doing their regular jobs.
He believes this could make their workload harder.
Gupta also pointed to wider challenges, such as children struggling with some schoolwork and limited job opportunities for graduates.
He argues that technology alone cannot fix these problems.
Internet freedom advocate and lawyer Apar Gupta said CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system may prioritize administrative convenience over benefits to students and teachers.
Gupta raised concerns about planning, cybersecurity, accessibility, grievance redressal and the board’s preparedness for the system.
He questioned the procurement process, alleging that eligibility criteria were relaxed after the first two tender rounds did not produce a qualifying bidder.
Gupta said teachers were expected to assess 20 to 25 scripts daily within an eight-hour working period, while also managing their regular teaching duties.
He linked the debate over education technology to broader concerns including learning outcomes, public spending, school closures and graduate employment.
- Who
- Apar Gupta, an internet freedom advocate and lawyer, discussed concerns about CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system.
- What
- Gupta questioned the system’s planning, procurement, accessibility, grievance handling and effects on teachers and students.
- When
- The article does not specify when Gupta made these remarks.
- Where
- The system is for CBSE Class 10 and 12 examinations; Gupta also cited education data and examples from India.
- Why
- He argued that education technology should improve learning and benefit students and teachers, and raised concerns about workload and implementation.
- System
- CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) for evaluating Class 10 and 12 answer scripts
- Scale cited
- Around 46 lakh students across 26 countries
- Teacher workload cited
- Around 20 to 25 scripts a day, with an expected eight-hour working period
- Tender rounds
- Gupta said the first round received no bids and no firm cleared technical evaluation in the second
- Rural reading cited
- ASER 2022 figures cited by Gupta: one in five Class 3 children in rural India could read a Class 2-level text
- Division skills cited
- The share of Class 8 students able to do simple division fell from 44.5% in 2012 to 41.8% in 2022
- Education spending cited
- Gupta said education spending was around 2.9% of GDP