CBSE portal glitch sparks outrage as re-evaluation fees jump to Rs 69,000

The post-result process for CBSE Class 12 students has turned into a fresh source of stress after major technical issues on the board’s re-evaluation portal triggered confusion among students and parents across the country.

What was expected to be a routine process for obtaining scanned answer sheets and applying for verification instead spiralled into chaos, with many users reporting bizarre fee amounts, failed transactions, and repeated website crashes.

The controversy intensified after screenshots circulated online showing highly inconsistent charges for accessing evaluated answer sheets.

While some students reportedly saw fees as low as Re 1 or Rs 69, others claimed the portal displayed amounts running into thousands and even lakhs.

One widely shared screenshot allegedly showed a student being charged Rs 69,420 per subject for physics, chemistry, mathematics and English core, taking the total cost to an astonishing amount.

In other cases, students said the portal demanded Rs 8,000 per paper or Rs 24,000 for three subjects.

As criticism mounted on social media, CBSE announced another extension of the re-evaluation timeline.

The board stated that students can now apply for scanned photocopies of Class 12 answer books until May 24.

It also clarified that candidates will receive an additional two-day window after obtaining the scanned copies to seek verification or re-evaluation.

In its statement, CBSE acknowledged that the portal had been facing ‘unprecedented traffic’ over the past several days.

The board further claimed that repeated attempts of unauthorised interference had contributed to disruptions in the system.

Officials, however, assured students that efforts were underway to ensure that no applicant faced difficulties due to the glitches.

Problems reportedly began soon after the application window for scanned answer sheets opened on May 19.

Students attempting to log in described facing constant crashes, inaccessible webpages, missing links, and payment failures.

Several users alleged that funds were debited from bank accounts even though their applications were not processed successfully.

Concerns also emerged over the quality of uploaded answer sheets. Some students and parents complained that scanned copies appeared blurred, faded, or incomplete, making it difficult to verify markings or check for discrepancies.

The issue has now drawn political attention as well. Chennai South MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian urged Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to intervene, highlighting the stress faced by students already preparing for competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET, and CUET.

Parents argued that uncertainty surrounding the rechecking process had only added to the pressure during a crucial academic period.