In India, academics are often seen as one of the most intense forms of competition, where parental expectations, constant peer comparisons, a coaching culture and extremely high cut-offs create immense pressure on students.
From an early age, students are pushed into a highly competitive race, from board exam scores that shape social perception to college admissions requiring near-perfect percentages. Even a difference of 0.5% can mean the difference between celebration and disappointment, as they turn grades into something more than just an indicator of academic performance – they are often tied to identity, ambition and self-worth.
This harsh reality was recently highlighted in a viral video of Tony Klor, who said he would never have survived as a student in India.
Posting on X, Klor shared a video of the road exam results board filled with scores of nearly 99%, reacting with shock and humor at the intense level of competition Indian students face.
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“That’s why I could never make it as a student in India,” he said in the video, pointing the camera at the toppers’ names and percentages.
“Look at the competition – Tanishka, 99.3%. Tanishka, leave some for the mates,” he joked.
He continued reading the scores in disbelief and said, “Ruchi got a straight 99, these hudugis are always on top. Madhu 98.3, Madakari 97.5.”
At another point in the video, he noticed another student’s name and quipped: “They’re like radio stations. Shankraya Gurumath – apparently he’s a guru in maths, physics, 98.”
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He shared the clip online and captioned it: “These kids in India are too self-absorbed.”
Here’s how social media users reacted:
The video quickly gained attention on social media, drawing reactions ranging from laughter to frustration. For many Indians, the viral clip highlighted a reality they know all too well – the constant race for grades in one of the most competitive education systems in the world.
Many social media users have also noted that even excellent scores are often no longer enough to secure admission to top institutions.
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“You can’t imagine how competitive India is. Even candidates who score 99% are not guaranteed to get a tier 1 college,” commented one user.
CBSE results fuel debate on toxic parenting
Days after the CBSE Class 12 results were declared, a heartbreaking photo of a broken laptop lying on the floor went viral on Reddit, sparking a debate in India about toxic parenting.
A student took to the platform to share the aftermath of their CBSE Class 12 results, claiming that their father smashed their computer and even took away their bed as punishment for their low scores.
“I’m late here but this is what my father did after the 12th results were out,” wrote a Reddit user, posting a picture of a broken laptop.
The student further claimed, “And if that wasn’t enough, he took my room and bed and made me sleep on the floor. I have been facing verbal, physical, mental and emotional abuse ever since the results are out. (I got 57.4%, Essential Repeat).”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user generated content from social media. Livemint does not endorse them.)
