TL;DR Between 2010 and 2024, India’s board examination results show a steady rise in both participation and pass rates. The share of passing students has grown across all groups, with girls maintaining higher success rates than boys. Among Girls, Science now accounts for the largest share of passing students, surpassing Arts for the first time, while gaps in outcomes for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students continue to narrow. 

Context

As another exam season arrives, students across India find themselves immersed in a familiar rhythm of preparation, pressure, and anticipation. Board examinations, especially at the secondary and higher secondary levels, have long stood as defining moments in a student’s academic journey. Yet beyond the personal stories of anxiety and achievement, these exams also reflect deeper questions about the country’s education system, its reach, and its ability to offer equal opportunities for its young population, which is among the largest in the world.

In this backdrop, we take a look at how the number of students appearing in Higher Secondary Examinations and pass percentages changed over time.

Who compiles this data?

The data is compiled through a collaborative effort between the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education and all Central and State Secondary and Higher Secondary Examination Boards, including both regular and open boards. The Ministry publishes this data annually.

Where can I download clean & structured data on secondary and higher secondary examination results?

Clean, structured, and ready-to-use detailed collection of datasets providing insights into Secondary and Higher Secondary Examination results across India is available on Dataful. They include information by state, caste, gender, management type (regular/private), board type (state/central/open), and stream, covering both appeared and passed students. 

Key Insights

• A total of 1.07 crore students appeared in the higher secondary examinations in 2010, which increased to approximately 1.58 crore in 2024, registering an increase of about 47.7%.

• Overall pass percentage in higher secondary examinations demonstrates a gradual upward trend from 2010 to 2024, with female students consistently recording higher pass rates than male students across all listed categories.

• The gap in pass percentages between the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and the overall pass percentage steadily decreased over time. Additionally, the data reflects a sharp, temporary increase in pass rates across all demographics in 2021 before returning to the standard trendline in 2022.

• The total volume of passing students grew significantly from approximately 7.6 million in 2010 to over 12.9 million in 2024. Within this successful group, Arts and Science students consistently make up the vast majority. Meanwhile, the proportion of total passed students from the Commerce stream has declined from around 14% in the early 2010s to below 12% in 2017 and 2018. However, since then, the share increased.

• Among boys who pass, Science students consistently form the largest proportion, growing to represent over half (50.7%) of all successful male candidates by 2024. However, for girls, Arts students historically made up the highest proportion of the passing cohort. In 2024, this distribution shifted, with successful Science students slightly outnumbering successful Arts students.

• The total number of passing students roughly doubled for both Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) between 2011 and 2024. Within both categories, the Arts stream consistently accounts for the highest proportion of successful students, though this is significantly more pronounced among ST students (reaching 58.9% in 2024) compared to SC students (44.8% in 2024).

• Both demographic groups demonstrate a steady, long-term increase in the proportion of students passing in the Science stream. For SC students, Science grew from 25.5% in 2011 to 42.1% in 2024, nearly matching Arts. ST students also saw notable growth in Science (from 17.8% to 31.5%).

Why does it matter?
These examination results go beyond individual achievement. They serve as a barometer of how India’s education system is evolving in terms of reach, inclusivity, and quality. With nearly one-third of the country’s population under 18, shifts in enrolment and pass rates reveal how effectively the system supports its growing youth base. The steady rise in participation and improvement in pass percentages, particularly among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, signals gradual progress toward greater educational equity. Changes in subject preferences, such as the growing share of Science students, also reflect shifting aspirations in response to new economic and employment opportunities.

Key Numbers

• 47.7% increase in students appearing in HSE: 1.07 cr (2010) → 1.58 cr (2024)

• Girls: Pass rates are 6-8% higher than boys, every year

• Science surpasses Arts: among girls in 2024

• SC & ST passers doubled (2011–2024):
  Science share: SC 25.5%→42.1% | ST 17.8%→31.5%

Note: Featured image generated with ChatGPT