The CBSE Class 10 and 12 results for 2025 were released today, and once again, lakhs of students have secured what were once unthinkable marks. But beneath the surface of this academic “success” lies a deeper, more uncomfortable truth — our exam system may be rewarding formula-followers more than true learners.
The High Scorer Explosion: A 7-Year Look
Let’s examine how the number of top scorers has evolved from 2018 to 2025. Covid-era years (2020–2022) used alternative evaluation formats, so those are noted for context:
Key Observations:
- Post-Covid dip in 2023 has started to reverse.
- Class 12 students scoring above 95% has consistently stayed over 20,000 since 2023.
- Current levels are far above pre-2020 figures, making 90% the new average.
Formula Over Fluency: The Marking Problem
CBSE insists on its standardized marking using model answers and step-wise grading. But in practice, this rewards students who crack the pattern over those who truly understand the content.
Full marks in language subjects, once unheard of, are now commonplace — thanks to answer “templates” students memorize. It’s not comprehension; it’s performance art.
False Sense of Mastery = Real-World Unreadiness
High marks should equal high capability, but India’s job-readiness data paints a bleaker picture:
- Only 25% of MBAs,
- 20% of engineers,
- and 10% of general graduates
are considered employable.
Our students are winning gold medals in simulated exams — but the pool is still dry.
Why Score Inflation Still Happens
Several system-level issues are responsible:
- NCERT-aligned exams: Memorize the book = score big.
- Step-wise marking: Rewards repetition over reasoning.
- Rote learning bias: Still dominates despite NEP’s intent.
Even with more case-based or analytical questions, we’re not yet measuring real understanding at scale.
What CBSE Has Tried to Improve
To its credit, CBSE has made some cosmetic but positive changes:
- No more merit lists or toppers to reduce stress.
- Removed terms like ‘Fail’ and ‘First Division’ — replaced by ‘Essential Repeat’ and grade-based reporting.
- Merit certificates are now limited to top 0.1% per subject.
These steps humanize the system, but don’t change how we assess.
The Real Reform India Needs
What’s required now is structural transformation, not just softer language:
- Curriculum alignment with workplace skills
- Teacher training to shift from dictation to discussion
- Exam patterns that assess logic, creativity, and problem-solving — not just memory
The NEP 2020 provides a roadmap, but full implementation is still years away.
Rethinking Success
It’s time we ask ourselves:
Are we truly succeeding when 25,000 students score 95%?
Or will success be when 95% of our students feel prepared for life beyond school?
High marks feel good. But unless they reflect deep learning, critical thinking, and real-world readiness, they are just numbers — impressive on paper, hollow in practice.
