A video of students defending the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) new On Screen Marking (OSM) system has sparked another round of controversy online, with social media users questioning why the first batch toppers were appearing in promotional-style clips. The video shows students of Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1 Imphal talking positively about the newly introduced digital assessment process. Students described the OSM system as “neutral”, “transparent”, “neutral”, “organized” and “accountable”. A viral post shared by a user on X claims, “My brother from KV Imphal just shared me a video asking students to appreciate CBSE OSM. OSM was introduced this year. The 2024-25 batch did not even study under it, yet toppers are now being used for promotion as it changed the board experience.The videos attracted particular attention as some of the students seen in them were allegedly from the 2024-25 topper batch, as seen from the posters in the background, even though the OSM system was introduced only that year. In the clip, a student says, “The newly introduced OSM system was completely impartial and transparent,” adding that she was satisfied with her marks. He also said that students should “embrace technology” and called the system “time efficient and fair”. Another student said she scored 98.2 per cent in the exam and described the on-screen marking process as “unbiased and unbiased”. He added that the system has reduced the chances of errors and should continue in future exams with “more openness for students as well as teachers”. However, the videos quickly sparked criticism online. Several users alleged that the clips were part of an image management effort amid the ongoing OSM controversy. A social media user wrote, “Kendriya Vidyalaya Imphal is taking the education system to a false standard where students especially the toppers are being taught to lie openly… it’s a disgrace.” Another user posted, “The whole government is running a PR campaign and marketing ploy to save its image.”CBSE’s OSM system has been criticized by students across the country for alleged answer sheet mismatches, portal glitches and assessment discrepancies.
