The rollout of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system by the CBSE for Class XII examinations has exposed several shortcomings in the country’s push towards rapid digitisation. While technological reforms are necessary, digitisation alone should not be mistaken for genuine progress. Software systems that determine the academic future of millions of students require phased implementation, repeated trial runs, stress testing under real conditions and an effective grievance redressal mechanism. In India, where competition for higher education and employment opportunities is intense, examinations carry enormous consequences for students and their families. Any technical lapse can severely affect their future prospects.

M Jeyaram

Sholavandan, TN

Striking a chord

This refers to the Pocket cartoon by Ravikanth (May 28). I congratulate the cartoonist for so effectively exposing a serious issue that affects students like me. The cartoon neatly highlights how excuses and lapses in the CBSE system, from poor planning to last-minute problems, leave students anxious and unfairly penalised. The board needs to go beyond routine statements. It should strengthen security for question papers, enforce stricter timelines and improve overall accountability. Such practical steps would reduce uncertainty and help restore faith in the examination process. Well done, Ravikanth, for bringing this to light.

Prajesh Paramasivan

Neelambur, TN

Tax havens cutting back

Apropos ‘Meet the FPIs leading the sell-off’ (May 28). The granular breakdown of FPI behaviour is genuinely reassuring in parts. The fact that long-term institutional investors — pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and large mutual funds — have largely held their positions suggests the sell-off is not a broad loss of confidence in Indian equities. It is primarily short-term speculative capital from tax havens rotating towards AI-linked stocks in Taiwan and South Korea, combined with rupee depreciation making valuations less attractive.

The more important regulatory question is whether unregulated funds operating through offshore financial centres warrant closer SEBI scrutiny. Their ability to move quickly and in volume creates volatility that affects all investors. Better disclosure requirements for such entities would serve market stability without discouraging genuine long-term foreign investment.

M Barathi

Bengaluru

Bail and jail

Apropos ‘A high point in judicial history’ (May 28), the fact that the Supreme Court has shown that it is flexible enough to revisit its earlier decisions and correct them, if necessary, is highly admirable. The judgment reinforces that the unwritten rule ‘Bail is the rule and jail is an exception’ should be the guiding principle for the system, with universal applicability, irrespective of severity of the sections under which the cases was booked. If the High Courts and lower courts follow this path-breaking precedent set by the Supreme Court and decide on the bail pleas of the thousands of prisoners suffering without trial and languishing in jail for long, justice will prevail. However, many of these prisoners, booked for small crimes, may not have the wherewithal even to apply for a bail. As such, government should take the cue from this progressive judgment, and amend the law to prescribe a time limit for custody of under-trials.

Kosaraju Chandramouli

Hyderabad

Published on May 28, 2026