NEW DELHI: Even after extending the deadline for obtaining scanned copies of Class XII answer books, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) continues to face mounting criticism over persistent technical failures, payment glitches and inaccessible services during the post-result review process.
With May 24 marked as the final date for applying for scanned answer books, students across the country on Saturday continued reporting failed transactions, inaccessible pages, delayed payment confirmations and difficulties in downloading answer scripts despite successful payments. The continuing complaints have intensified demands for another extension of the application window.
CBSE to refund excess fees deducted from studentsIn an official notice issued on May 24, CBSE acknowledged that technical issues on May 21 and May 22 had resulted in incorrect fee deductions during applications for scanned answer books.
According to the board, some candidates were charged excess amounts, while in other cases lesser amounts were deducted during the payment process.
“In all cases of excess payment, the exact excess amounts shall be refunded to the same payment method which was used for payment,” the board said in the notice issued by Controller of Examinations Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj.
“In all cases of excess payment, the exact excess amounts shall be refunded to the same payment method which was used for payment,” the board said in the notice issued by Controller of Examinations Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj.
CBSE further clarified that students affected by payment discrepancies would still receive scanned copies of their evaluated answer books without having to submit fresh applications.
“In cases where lesser payment was deducted, candidates shall be informed separately regarding payment of the balance amount, if required,” the board added.
Students demand another extensionCBSE further clarified that students affected by payment discrepancies would still receive scanned copies of their evaluated answer books without submitting fresh requests.
However, despite the clarification, many students continued reporting payment failures, missing answer books and repeated server-related issues till late Saturday evening, with several now demanding another extension beyond May 24 to complete the process properly.
Dharmendra Pradhan seeks explanation from CBSEThe controversy has now reached the Ministry of Education, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan seeking a detailed report from CBSE following complaints about server crashes, payment gateway failures and operational lapses during the re-evaluation process.
Sources told PTI that the minister had taken “serious cognisance” of complaints raised by students and parents regarding repeated technical disruptions affecting access to scanned answer books and related services.
Officials have reportedly been directed to explain the reasons behind the technical failures, preparedness measures adopted before opening the portal and the accountability of agencies involved in managing the process.
CBSE admits large-scale technical disruptionsEarlier, CBSE said it was continuously monitoring all reported issues and taking corrective measures, including extension of timelines and technical interventions.
The board stated that more than 98.6 lakh answer sheets were evaluated this year under the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system and acknowledged receiving an “extremely large” response from students applying for scanned copies within a short period.
CBSE also admitted receiving complaints regarding portal access failures, delayed payment confirmations, blurred or missing pages in scanned answer books, and concerns related to unmarked or incorrectly marked responses after students reviewed their evaluated copies.
Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!Sanjay Sharma is a seasoned journalist with over two decades of e...
Read MoreSanjay Sharma is a seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience in the media industry. Currently serving as Assistant Editor - Education at TimesofIndia.com, he specializes in education-related content, including board results, job notifications, and studying abroad. Since joining TOI in 2006, he has played a pivotal role in expanding the platform’s digital presence and spearheading major education events. Previously, Sanjay held leadership positions in sports journalism, covering high-profile events such as the Cricket World Cup and Olympics. He holds a PG Diploma in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan and is proficient in various content management systems.
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