NEW DELHI / PRAYAGRAJ – As the 2026 board result season reaches its peak, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) have issued a high-priority joint advisory. Both boards are warning students and parents to stay vigilant against a surge in “marks-for-money” scams, where fraudsters claim they can manipulate official databases to increase exam scores.
Modus Operandi of the Scammers
Cybercrime cells have identified a recurring pattern in these fraudulent activities. Scammers often pose as board officials, examiners, or IT staff from the education department. They contact students via WhatsApp, Telegram, or direct phone calls, claiming to have access to the “backend” of the result servers.
-
The Bait: They provide just enough personal information—such as the student’s roll number or school name—to sound legitimate.
-
The Hook: They claim the student has failed by a few marks or missed a “distinction” grade and offer to “fix” the marks in the database before the official declaration.
-
The Demand: Victims are asked to transfer “processing fees” ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 via UPI or anonymous digital wallets.
The Boards’ Response: “Evaluation is Tamper-Proof”
In a stern statement, a senior CBSE official clarified that the board’s evaluation system is entirely encrypted and decentralized. “Once the marks are uploaded by the examiners at the centralized centers, they are locked into a secure server that no individual—inside or outside the board—can modify without a multi-layered digital audit trail,” the official noted.
UPMSP Chairman also emphasized that the “marks-for-money” claim is a technical impossibility. “Our 2026 evaluation process involved 3 crore answer sheets, all barcoded and digitally tracked. There is no manual intervention possible at the final tabulation stage.”
Steps to Stay Safe
The authorities have shared a checklist for parents and students:
-
Do Not Share OTPs: Never share identity details or OTPs with anyone claiming to be from a board helpline.
-
Verify via Official Channels: All official communications regarding results are posted on
cbse.gov.inorupmsp.edu.in. -
Report Immediately: If you receive such a call, report the number to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at
1930or visitcybercrime.gov.in.
Mental Health & Social Support
Educational psychologists warn that the “pressure to perform” makes students vulnerable to these scams. Schools have been directed to conduct awareness sessions, reminding students that a single marksheet is not worth a legal or financial nightmare.
“The best defense is awareness,” stated a Delhi Police Cyber Cell representative. “The board result is a reflection of your hard work, not a commodity that can be bought on a Telegram group.”
