Bisma Fareed’s heartfelt post on LinkedIn has sparked a timely conversation that India’s education system can no longer sidestep: are top marks still the golden ticket to success, or have practical skills finally taken precedence?
A first-year English (Hons) student at Delhi University’s prestigious Hansraj College, Bisma is no academic lightweight. With over 50 certificates, 10 medals, and 10 trophies to her name, she is what traditional Indian society would call a "model student." Yet, she faced repeated rejections while applying for internships. Her realization—companies aren’t looking for toppers who can recite answers; they want people who can deliver—reflects the disillusionment of many high-performing students who have been made to believe that academic excellence alone guarantees future success.
This disconnect between what the education system rewards and what the real world demands is not new. Indian schools and colleges continue to churn out rote learners—students trained to memorise answers, ace exams, and collect certificates. But the job market is evolving faster than the curriculum. Today’s employers want communication skills, creativity, collaboration, and above all, problem-solving abilities. Ironically, these are precisely the traits that our mark-centric system stifles.
Why then do we continue to glorify the topper culture? Part of the blame lies with the adults who guide young minds—teachers, parents, and mentors who repeatedly tell students to “focus on studies” while dismissing internships, volunteering, and passion projects as distractions. In doing so, they reinforce the dangerous idea that skills can wait, while marks cannot. Bisma's story is a cautionary tale for all such well-meaning yet misdirected advice.
It’s also a wake-up call for universities, many of which are still married to outdated pedagogies. Instead of fostering experiential learning and industry exposure, most undergraduate programmes remain rigid, theoretical, and detached from ground realities. This is particularly ironic in a country that boasts of its growing startup ecosystem and claims to be skilling its youth for a “new India.”
The truth is, practical skills are no longer optional—they are indispensable. The ability to write a compelling email, think on one’s feet, manage a team, or pitch an idea can matter far more than scoring a 95 in a core paper. That doesn’t mean academic excellence should be undermined. But it must no longer be seen as the only currency of competence.
For students like Bisma, the lesson is not to stop studying—but to start applying. And for policymakers, educators, and families, it’s time to revise the outdated blueprint of success. A degree may open doors, but it’s skills that help walk through them.