The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has opened its Class 12 re-evaluation and marks verification portal, allowing students to apply for post-result services after weeks of uncertainty, technical delays, and controversy surrounding the board's new On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Students who have already accessed the scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets can now apply for re-evaluation through the official portal.The launch comes at a time when the OSM evaluation process is under intense scrutiny from students, parents, opposition leaders, and the Ministry of Education over alleged glitches and concerns about transparency.ALSO READ: Annamalai set to exit BJP soon, may launch new political party after Delhi meetings: ReportCBSE Opens Verification and Re-Evaluation WindowStudents dissatisfied with their Class 12 board exam scores can now apply online for verification of marks, obtain copies of evaluated answer books, and request re-evaluation through CBSE's unified post-result platform. The board says the digital system is designed to make the process more transparent and efficient.The portal is available through CBSE's official post-result services platform and has been launched after the board carried out upgrades to strengthen the system and avoid technical disruptions.How Students Can ApplyStudents seeking a review of their results can access the portal through CBSE's official post-result services website.The process generally involves:Logging in using roll number and other required credentialsApplying for verification of marksRequesting photocopies or scanned copies of evaluated answer sheetsApplying for re-evaluation after reviewing answer scripts, where eligibleCBSE has also put in place support mechanisms, including helplines and email assistance, to address student queries during the application period.Why Was the Portal Delayed?Originally, the post-result services window was expected to open earlier, but CBSE postponed the launch, stating that the website was being upgraded to ensure a smooth and glitch-free experience for students.The delay came after reports of technical issues, payment failures, excess fee deductions, missing receipts, and concerns about the newly introduced OSM framework. CBSE had said the portal was being strengthened to handle a large volume of applications and improve overall stability.OSM System Under the SpotlightThe re-evaluation process is unfolding against the backdrop of a major debate over CBSE's On-Screen Marking system, which was introduced to digitise the evaluation of answer sheets.In recent weeks, allegations emerged regarding vulnerabilities in systems linked to the OSM process, prompting the Ministry of Education to begin examining alleged irregularities connected to the tender process and evaluation infrastructure.The controversy intensified after several students and parents raised concerns about discrepancies in marks and evaluation procedures, leading to demands for greater accountability and transparency.CBSE Responds to Security ConcernsAmid reports circulating online about the evaluation system being compromised, CBSE clarified that its actual answer-sheet evaluation platform had not been hacked.According to the board, the portal involved in the reported incident was only a testing platform containing sample data, while the real OSM evaluation system remained secure. CBSE maintained that there had been no breach of the live evaluation environment.The board also stated that vulnerabilities identified in a service provider's portal had been addressed before the re-evaluation process was opened.Ministry of Education Monitoring DevelopmentsThe controversy has drawn attention from the Ministry of Education, which has reportedly initiated an internal review of the OSM tender process and related operational issues. Officials are examining allegations of procedural lapses and system vulnerabilities.Separately, discussions have also taken place regarding complaints received from students about marking patterns, technical glitches and portal performance.Political Row Over Re-Evaluation FeesThe issue has also entered the political arena. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi recently criticised CBSE over re-evaluation charges, questioning why students should have to pay fees to verify marks when concerns have been raised about the evaluation system itself.His remarks added another layer to the ongoing debate around the OSM framework and the board's post-result processes.What's Next For Students?With lakhs of answer sheets evaluated through the OSM system this year, the re-evaluation process is expected to be closely watched by students, parents and policymakers alike.While CBSE maintains that the portal has been strengthened and secured, the ongoing scrutiny of the OSM system means that the board's handling of re-evaluation requests will remain under public focus in the coming weeks.For students awaiting a second review of their scores, the opening of the portal offers an opportunity to seek clarification and reassessment through CBSE's official process.(With TOI inputs)