The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reaffirmed its decision to not release the merit list or division-wise marks of students for the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams in 2025. The move is in continuation with the board’s practice in recent years to promote a healthier academic environment among students.
Results Expected in May 2025
CBSE is anticipated to announce the Class 10 and 12 results by May 2025, although no official date has been released. The board exams for Class 10 were conducted from February 15 to March 18, while Class 12 exams concluded on April 4, 2025.
In line with CBSE’s guidelines, students must secure a minimum of 33% marks overall and in each subject to be declared as passed. After the declaration of results, supplementary exams will be held for students who do not pass in one or more subjects. Students dissatisfied with their scores can also apply for verification of marks or attempt for result improvement.
No Merit List or Toppers Since Pandemic
CBSE had stopped publishing merit lists and division-wise marks starting from the COVID-19 pandemic period, when the board had to resort to alternative evaluation methods including online exams and internal assessments. Since then, the board has continued with the policy to not declare toppers or rank holders, stating the need to reduce unhealthy academic competition among students.
This decision aligns with CBSE’s evolving educational philosophy, where the focus is on learning outcomes, overall development, and academic integrity, rather than pressurizing students to achieve top ranks.
Promoting a Healthier Learning Environment
The board’s rationale is to foster a stress-free and inclusive academic atmosphere. By not releasing public rankings, CBSE intends to:
- Discourage comparison among students.
- Reduce pressure on high-achieving and struggling students alike.
- Encourage students to focus on personal academic growth instead of competition.
- Prevent psychological stress due to ranking-based validation.
This change is particularly relevant in an era where student mental health is a growing concern. The policy aims to treat all passing students equally and remove the stigma of not being a “topper.”
Past Trends in CBSE Result Dates
To provide context, here’s how the board has released results in previous years:
- 2024: May 13
- 2023: May 12
- 2022: July 22
- 2021: August 3
- 2020: July 15
Following this trend, May 2025 is a likely month for this year’s result declaration.
In conclusion, the CBSE’s decision to withhold the merit list and division-wise results represents a progressive shift towards student-centric evaluation. While some may miss the traditional rankings, the focus remains on fair evaluation and emotional well-being—prioritizing holistic education over academic competition.
