In a significant shift aimed at protecting student morale, the Bihar government will no longer label students as "fail" on their Class 10 and 12 board exam marksheets. Instead, those who don't pass will be described as "eligible for skills"—a phrase intended to recognize that exam scores don't define a child's talent or future.

Key facts

  • Word "fail" replaced with "kaushal ke liye patra" (eligible for skills)
  • Applies to Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Class 10 and 12 exams
  • Special one-month classes for supplementary exam takers
  • Announced by Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari on August 28, 2026

A New Approach to Student Assessment

State Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari made the announcement on Friday, August 28, 2026, noting that a student's talent isn't diminished simply because they didn't secure expected marks. The Education Department will soon issue necessary directives to the Bihar School Examination Board to implement this change.

"An exam score alone is not an indicator of a child's overall talent or future potential," said Mr. Tiwari, emphasizing the government's commitment to student well-being.

Student Reactions and Background

The move was welcomed by students preparing for Class 12 exams, scheduled for February 2027. Outside a coaching institute in Patna's Kankerbagh area, students expressed relief that the stigmatizing term "fail" would be removed from their certificates—a word they associated with social taboo and even tragic outcomes.

This announcement comes amid recent student agitations over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The government had previously addressed concerns by deciding to conduct the Teacher Recruitment Examination-4 in a single phase, leading protesters to call off their demonstrations.

Broader Educational Initiatives

Bihar has been rolling out several educational reforms. On August 27, the state launched "Bihar Vidya Saathi," a 24-hour digital platform offering live teacher access and study materials for students in Classes 9 through 12. Approximately 75,000 teachers will provide round-the-clock academic support.

Additionally, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary will launch a "Teacher Support Portal" on September 5 (Teachers' Day), honoring educators with state-level awards. The government has also introduced AI-powered tools and digital resources for board exam preparation as part of its push toward quality education.