In a major overhaul of its evaluation process, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially implemented a relative grading system for Class 10 and 12 board examinations starting with the 2024 batch. This significant reform moves away from the traditional absolute marking method and aims to bring fairness, reduce student stress, and align Indian academic assessments with international practices.
Under the relative grading model, students' performance is assessed in comparison to their peers, rather than based on fixed score thresholds. This means marks are interpreted contextually based on how the entire group performs in a particular subject making the system more equitable and less stressful for students aiming for “perfect scores.” The decision was primarily driven by growing concerns around mark inflation, skyrocketing college admission cut-offs, and the overwhelming pressure on students to score above 95%. CBSE officials have noted that the shift is intended to reduce unhealthy academic competition and promote holistic education.
This move is also in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for reforms that reduce rote learning and encourage overall student development. The absolute grading system had long been criticized for encouraging students to focus narrowly on memorizing information, often at the cost of true understanding.
In the relative grading system, statistical tools like mean, median, and standard deviation are used to group students into bands. Grades such as A1, A2, B1, and so forth are distributed based on this analysis. For example, the top 12.5% of scorers in a subject might be awarded an A1 grade, the next 12.5% an A2, and so on. This ensures that performance is contextual rather than comparative with a fixed standard. Despite adopting this model, CBSE announced during the Class 12 results release that it would still issue a merit list for the top 0.1% of students in each subject recognizing extraordinary performers at the national level.
For students, this change could mean a more supportive and less cutthroat academic environment. Students scoring slightly below the traditional 90% threshold may now find themselves in a higher grading bracket if their overall group performance is lower. This could ease the emotional and psychological burden that comes with narrowly missing arbitrary cut-offs.
Educators are also welcoming the change, as it encourages a shift in teaching methods moving away from relentless "marks-maximization" tactics to focusing more on conceptual clarity and student understanding. The new grading system not only benefits high-achieving students but also those in the middle spectrum by reducing negative stigma associated with scoring relatively lower marks. It fosters a more inclusive and encouraging academic experience.
As CBSE navigates this new chapter in Indian education, students, parents, and teachers alike are watching closely to see how the changes impact learning outcomes, college admissions, and overall student well-being. While some critics remain skeptical about the complexity of the system, many are optimistic that relative grading is a long-overdue step towards making the Indian education system more balanced and globally aligned.
