CBSE has decided to double the penalty for marking an answer book on the basis of a wrong question paper or marking scheme

Updated on: Thursday, March 07, 2013

Errors in marking Board papers will now cost examiners more. In an attempt to check shoddy evaluation work, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to double the penalty for marking an answer book on the basis of a wrong question paper or marking scheme to Rs 100. In case the question numbers and answers are not tallied, or marked as "repeated" without basis, the fine will be Rs 20 per question. At centres outside India, the penalties will be Rs 200 per answer book and Rs 40 per question.

Ever since photocopies of evaluated answer books were made available to candidates in 2012, questions have been raised on the reliability of the evaluation process in CBSE Boards. According to CBSE sources, following the move last year, the Board received many representations citing discrepancies in evaluation.

The minutes of the examination committee's meeting show that examples of errors were cited for imposing higher penalties against erring examiners. The common errors are, not evaluating an answer book with the correct question paper and marking scheme, and instances of question numbers being marked as "repeated" when the question has been attempted only once.

The members present in the meeting deliberated on the issues and, in order to discourage errors at the "spot evaluation centres", resolved that penalties be doubled with effect from the 2013 Boards.

The issue, according to CBSE officials, has became a cause of concern as science students now get weightage for their Class XII Boards marks in the JEE (main) merit list. Moreover, only the top 1.5 lakh candidates in the JEE (main) merit list, who also figure in the top 20 percentile in their respective Board exam results, will be eligible for the JEE (advanced), which is the entrance test for IITs. Any small error could affect the prospects of a candidate.

"The increase in the penalty is aimed at an overall improvement of the evaluation process and making it more reliable. This is a continuous process," said an official.

CBSE has decided to double the penalty for marking an answer book on the basis of a wrong question paper or marking scheme

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