Punjab Government to implement end-to-end digital evaluation for March 2026 board exams with On-Screen Marking, ensuring faster, accurate, and transparent results for students.
The Punjab Government is set to revolutionize the evaluation process for board examinations with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) introducing an On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for the March 2026 exams. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that Punjab will become one of the first state boards in India to implement end-to-end digital evaluation, transforming the assessment of answer sheets.
Faster and Accurate Results Through Digital Evaluation
Speaking on the initiative, Harjot Singh Bains stated, “This digital system allows teachers to evaluate scanned answer sheets directly on computers, with automatic calculation of marks by software, ensuring faster and more accurate results for students.”
The minister highlighted the success of the system during the September 2025 Supplementary Examinations, where 23,000 answer sheets were evaluated efficiently and accurately, demonstrating the technology’s effectiveness.
Phased Implementation and Technical Safeguards
This year, On-Screen Marking will be applied to one subject in the Matriculation Examination, with plans for phased expansion in subsequent examination cycles.
Each answer sheet is embedded with a unique QR code, enabling secure scanning and digital processing. Under the OSM system, sheets are scanned in a protected environment and uploaded to a centralized dashboard, where examiners can evaluate online using structured marking schemes, automated totalling, and real-time progress monitoring.
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Ensuring Fairness, Speed, and Transparency
Minister Bains described the initiative as more than a technological upgrade. “It is a complete overhaul of the evaluation process, ensuring every student receives fairness, speed, and accuracy in marking,” he said.
PSEB Chairman Dr. Amarpal Singh emphasized the student-focused approach of the reform. “The OSM system reflects the Punjab Government’s commitment under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann to integrity, efficiency, and transparency. Students will benefit from faster results, standardized marking, and consistent evaluation. Teachers will also gain from a streamlined digital interface with better record-keeping.”
All technical and administrative preparations for the March 2026 rollout have been completed, guaranteeing a smooth implementation of the On-Screen Marking system across the state.