CBSE Results 2025: Over 24,000 Score Above 95% in Class 12, Nearly 2 Lakh Cross 90% in Class 10 – But Are These Marks Losing Meaning?
CBSE Results 2025: Over 24,000 Score Above 95% in Class 12, Nearly 2 Lakh Cross 90% in Class 10 – But Are These Marks Losing Meaning?
CBSE Class 10, 12 Results 2025: Soaring Scores Raise Questions on Academic Depth and Real-World Readiness
The CBSE Results 2025 have once again highlighted an ongoing trend — an ever-growing number of high scorers. This year, 24,867 Class 12 students scored above 95%, while over 1.1 lakh crossed the 90% mark. The situation is even more striking in Class 10, with nearly 2 lakh students scoring above 90% and over 45,000 achieving 95% or higher.
At face value, this surge in high scores may appear to reflect academic excellence. But education experts and concerned educators are beginning to question — are CBSE marks losing their value in the real world?
CBSE High Scores Over the Years: The Data Tells a Story
An analysis of CBSE performance from 2018 to 2025 shows a dramatic increase in students achieving top marks, even accounting for disruptions during the COVID-19 years (2020–2022). Here’s a brief comparison:
| Year | Class 10 >90% | Class 10 >95% | Class 12 >90% | Class 12 >95% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,31,493 | 27,476 | 72,599 | 12,737 |
| 2019 | 2,25,143 | 57,256 | 94,299 | 17,693 |
| 2023 | 1,95,799 | 44,297 | 1,12,838 | 22,622 |
| 2024 | 2,12,384 | 47,983 | 1,16,145 | 24,068 |
| 2025 | 1,99,944 | 45,516 | 1,11,544 | 24,867 |
While the dip in 2023 seemed to reverse the post-pandemic trend, 2024 and 2025 have again seen a steady rise in the number of students scoring over 90% and 95%.
Is the Marking System Inflating Academic Performance?
Despite CBSE’s claim of a strict and consistent evaluation framework, the current system heavily relies on step-wise marking and model answer replication. As a result, students who master the structure of answers — rather than the subject itself — can score exceptionally well.
Surprisingly, perfect scores in subjects like English and Hindi, once considered rare, have become common. This raises a critical question: do these high marks genuinely reflect a student’s understanding and analytical ability?
The Disconnect Between Marks and Market-Readiness
The alarming mismatch between academic scores and employability has been well-documented:
- Only 25% of MBA graduates are deemed job-ready.
- Just 20% of engineering graduates are considered employable.
- A mere 10% of general graduates meet workplace standards.
These statistics paint a stark picture — high scores aren’t translating into real-world skills. Students may be excelling in exams but are underprepared for life beyond textbooks.
Why Score Inflation Persists
Several systemic factors contribute to this pattern:
- NCERT-focused question papers make rote learning more rewarding.
- Step-wise marking prioritizes process over concept.
- A culture of memorization over analysis continues to dominate, though the National Education Policy (NEP) aims to change that.
CBSE’s Recent Reforms: Steps in the Right Direction?
In an effort to reduce stress and unhealthy competition, CBSE has introduced several progressive changes:
- No more toppers’ lists or rank-based results.
- Removal of ‘First’ and ‘Second Division’ labels.
- ‘Essential Repeat’ replaces the word ‘Fail’ to support positive learning.
While these reforms focus on mental well-being and inclusivity, they don’t directly address the root issue — the lack of skill-based, analytical education.
What Needs to Change: Real Education Reform for Future Readiness
Experts believe that India’s education system needs to go beyond cosmetic fixes. The solution lies in:
- Curriculum revamps to include real-life application and skill-building.
- Teacher training programs that emphasize critical thinking and open discussion.
- Assessment reforms that test understanding, not just memory.
The NEP 2020 has set ambitious goals, but real transformation will take time and consistent implementation across states and boards.
Are We Applauding Marks or Mastery?
In 2025, thousands of students scored above 95% in CBSE board exams. But the real success will come not when students top the charts, but when they are truly ready for the challenges of the modern world.
Until then, we must ask ourselves: Are we celebrating academic excellence — or just exam efficiency?
