Punjab has abolished the date-of-birth-based tie-breaker in board exams, ensuring students with identical scores receive the same rank. The reform, announced after student feedback to CM Bhagwant Mann, also introduces competency-based assessments and stricter anti-cheating measures. The move comes as Punjab ranks among India's top-performing states in school education.

Chandigarh: In a significant policy shift, the Punjab government has announced the removal of the date-of-birth-based tie-breaker system in board examinations, aiming to ensure parity for students with identical academic scores.

The decision follows direct feedback provided by students to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, reflecting a responsive approach to the concerns of the student community.

State Education Minister Harjot Bains confirmed the development, stating that, moving forward, all students who secure equal marks will be awarded the same rank. This move is intended to eliminate the perceived unfairness of the previous system, which prioritised chronological age over academic performance in cases of ties.

Beyond the structural changes to ranking, Bains emphasised a broader transformation in the examination framework. He noted that board question papers would undergo a paradigm shift, moving away from rote learning. Future assessments are designed to prioritise competency-based questions that test a student's conceptual understanding and analytical abilities rather than their ability to memorise information.