Punjab : The Punjab Government is preparing to bring a significant transformation to the board examination evaluation system, as the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) plans to introduce an On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for the March 2026 examinations. Announcing the reform, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said Punjab will be among the first state boards in the country to implement a fully digital evaluation process, marking a major shift in answer sheet assessment.
Sharing details, the Education Minister explained that under the new system, teachers will assess scanned answer sheets digitally on computers, while the software will automatically calculate marks. This, he said, will lead to quicker and more accurate results.
He further informed that the system has already been tested successfully. During the September 2025 Supplementary Examinations, around 23,000 answer sheets were evaluated efficiently and accurately using the digital platform, demonstrating its effectiveness.
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PSEB Begins Phased Rollout of Digital Evaluation System
Following this success, PSEB will introduce the On-Screen Marking system in one subject of the Matriculation Examination this year, with plans to gradually expand it to more subjects in future examination cycles.
Highlighting the technical features, Harjot Singh Bains stated that the newly designed answer sheets include unique QR codes on every page to ensure secure scanning and smooth digital processing. Under the OSM system, answer sheets are scanned in a secure environment and uploaded to a centralized dashboard. Examiners will evaluate them online using structured marking schemes, automated total calculations, and real-time progress tracking.
Calling the reform a complete transformation rather than just a technological update, the Minister emphasized that the new system aims to ensure fairness, speed, and accuracy in evaluating students’ performance.
PSEB Chairman Dr. Amarpal Singh also reiterated the government’s student-centric approach. He said the initiative reflects Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency. Students will benefit from faster result declarations, uniform marking standards, and enhanced transparency, while teachers will work through a streamlined digital interface that ensures consistency and organized record management.
Dr. Amarpal Singh added that all technical and administrative preparations for implementing the system in March 2026 have been completed, reaffirming the Board’s commitment to delivering a reliable and transparent evaluation process for Punjab’s students.