The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has extended the deadline for Class 12 students to apply for scanned photocopies of their evaluated answer books till May 24, 2026, after widespread technical disruptions affected its online portal. Students across India reported payment failures, login errors, inaccessible pages and unusually inflated fee displays while trying to access answer sheets for verification and re-evaluation.
CBSE blamed unprecedented traffic and attempts of “unauthorised interference” for the glitches and assured students they would receive two additional days after obtaining scanned copies to apply for verification of marks or re-evaluation. The controversy has sparked concerns over digital preparedness, transparency and student stress during a crucial admission period.
CBSE Extends Deadline Amid Technical Problems
CBSE has once again revised the deadline for obtaining scanned photocopies of Class 12 answer books after severe disruptions on its portal left many students unable to complete applications on time. The Board announced that students can now apply until May 24, extending the earlier deadline by one more day.
The extension comes at an important time for students planning to verify their marks before college admissions and entrance-related procedures. For many candidates, accessing the scanned answer sheets is the first step before deciding whether to apply for verification or re-evaluation.
CBSE also clarified that students will receive up to two days after obtaining the scanned copies to proceed with the next stages of the process.
Students Report Payment Failures And Login Errors
Shortly after the Class 12 board results were declared, lakhs of students reportedly attempted to log into the CBSE portal simultaneously, leading to repeated crashes and slow response times.
Students and parents flooded social media platforms such as X, Reddit and Instagram with complaints about failed transactions, frozen pages, download errors and inaccessible application forms. Many claimed their payments were deducted even though their applications were not successfully submitted.
Others alleged that the website remained stuck in pending mode for hours, forcing them to repeatedly refresh the portal out of fear of missing the deadline. Several students expressed concern that delays in the process could affect university admissions and scholarship opportunities. Parents too criticised the lack of timely communication and technical support, especially for students in smaller towns with limited access to reliable internet services.
CBSE Blames Heavy Traffic And “Unauthorised Interference”
In its official explanation, CBSE said the portal disruptions were caused by “unprecedented traffic” following the declaration of results. The Board also claimed there had been several attempts of “unauthorised interference”, which made the system vulnerable to disruptions.
According to CBSE, technical teams worked continuously to restore services and stabilise the website. The Board advised students not to panic and requested them to use the extended timeline carefully. However, the explanation triggered criticism online, with several students questioning why one of India’s largest education boards was not better prepared for predictable traffic volumes during the post-result period.
Viral Fee Glitch Sparks Online Outrage
The issue escalated further after screenshots showing unusually high application fees began circulating online. Some students claimed the portal displayed charges running into thousands and even lakhs of rupees instead of the standard fee for answer sheet photocopies. One screenshot allegedly showed a fee of Rs 69,420, while another student claimed the system demanded nearly Rs 3 lakh for multiple subjects. The screenshots quickly went viral, drawing both outrage and humour on social media.
While memes flooded the internet, many users raised serious concerns about the reliability of CBSE’s digital infrastructure and the possibility of technical vulnerabilities within the system. CBSE later clarified that the issue appeared linked to technical anomalies and possible unauthorised interference, though no detailed explanation has yet been shared publicly.
Why Scanned Answer Sheets Matter
The scanned photocopy process forms an important part of CBSE’s post-result grievance mechanism. It allows students to review their evaluated answer sheets before deciding whether to apply for verification of marks or re-evaluation. By accessing the scanned copies, students can identify possible errors such as unchecked answers, incorrect totalling or marking discrepancies.
In India’s highly competitive academic environment, even a small difference in marks can impact college admissions, scholarships and future opportunities. Education experts say the growing demand for answer sheet access reflects increasing awareness among students about transparency and accountability in evaluation systems.
Questions Over Digital Preparedness
The repeated disruptions have reignited debate over the preparedness of educational institutions to manage large-scale digital services. Critics argue that boards handling millions of students must invest in stronger technical infrastructure, cyber-security systems and better crisis management.
The controversy also highlights the growing dependence on digital education services in India. While online systems have improved accessibility and transparency in many ways, technical failures during critical academic processes can damage public trust and add to student stress. For many students, the issue was not merely about a crashing website but about the uncertainty and anxiety caused during a crucial stage of their academic journey.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The CBSE portal disruption highlights how technical failures in education systems can directly affect the mental well-being and confidence of students. At a time when young people are already facing intense pressure around marks, admissions and career choices, institutions must prioritise both efficiency and empathy.
Extending the deadline is an important step, but it also raises larger questions about digital readiness and accountability in public education systems. Students deserve transparent, accessible, and reliable platforms that support them rather than increase stress during critical moments. How can educational boards create more student-friendly digital systems that ensure fairness, transparency and trust for millions of learners across India?
Also Read: NEET UG 2026 Crisis: NTA Opens Refund Portal For 22 Lakh Students Ahead Of June 21 Re-Exam
CBSE pushes deadline to obtain scanned copies of Class 12 answer sheets to May 24
— The Tribune (@thetribunechd) May 23, 2026
The Board had earlier extended the deadline from May 22 to May 23 amid complaints from students over difficulties in accessing scanned copieshttps://t.co/MmatsjQT1l
