CBSE to Retain Board Exam Answer Sheets for One Year, New System from 2025-26
New Delhi, 16th August 2025: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a major policy change regarding the storage of board examination answer sheets. Starting from the academic session 2025-26, answer sheets of annual examinations will be retained for only one year and destroyed thereafter.
According to board officials, the decision was taken to reduce wastage and cut down on recurring costs of printing, storage, and transportation. Last year alone, CBSE spent nearly Rs 3 crore on these processes, including expenses for unused copies. Rebinding and reusing leftover answer sheets in subsequent years also required additional expenditure and carried the risk of loss or mismanagement.
To tighten monitoring, every answer sheet will now carry a unique identification number that will be scanned and recorded along with the flying slip. This mechanism aims to prevent duplication or reuse of copies. The board has also mandated strict audits of answer sheets supplied at examination centers to eliminate excess stock and minimize irregularities.
CBSE has further clarified that before destroying unused copies, a cancellation process will be undertaken. The recycled paper will then be repurposed for use as writing material or stationery in government schools, thereby promoting environmental sustainability while reducing financial burden.
Officials stated that the move is expected to make the examination process more secure, transparent, and efficient. With a digital record of every copy issued at exam centers, the scope for loss, misuse, or irregularities will be almost eliminated.
