Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab to introduce fully digital evaluation for March 2026 Board Exams
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 13: In a major reform aimed at transforming the examination system, the Punjab Government has announced that the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) will implement an end-to-end digital evaluation process for the March 2026 board examinations.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said Punjab will be among the first states in the country to adopt a fully digital On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, marking a significant shift in how answer sheets are assessed.
On-Screen Marking to Ensure Speed and Accuracy
Sharing details of the initiative, Bains said the digital system will allow teachers to evaluate scanned answer sheets on computers, with marks calculated automatically through dedicated software.
“This system ensures faster, more accurate and transparent results,” he stated, adding that technology will minimize manual errors and streamline the evaluation process.
The minister revealed that the system has already demonstrated success during the September 2025 supplementary examinations, where over 23,000 answer sheets were evaluated swiftly and accurately.
Encouraged by the results, PSEB will implement On-Screen Marking in one subject of the Matriculation Examination this year, with phased expansion planned in subsequent examination cycles.
Explaining the technical safeguards, Bains said each page of the redesigned answer sheet will carry a unique QR code to ensure secure scanning and seamless digital processing.
Under the OSM system, answer sheets will be scanned in a protected environment and uploaded to a centralized dashboard. Examiners will assess them online using structured marking schemes, automated totalling, and real-time progress tracking.
Calling the reform a comprehensive transformation, the minister said it represents a complete overhaul of the evaluation process to guarantee fairness, speed, and precision for students.
PSEB Chairman Dr. Amarpal Singh emphasized that the initiative reflects the state government’s focus on integrity and efficiency in education under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
He said students will benefit from quicker result timelines, standardized marking, and enhanced transparency, while teachers will work through a streamlined digital interface ensuring consistency and systematic record-keeping.
Dr. Singh added that all technical and administrative preparations for the March 2026 rollout have been completed, reaffirming the Board’s readiness to implement the new system.