Girls Showcase Their Skills, Outpace Boys in Just a Decade
The Beti Padhao Beti Bachao campaign, launched in 2015 with the aim of educating girls, has started to show its impact across the country. The percentage of girls passing the 10th and 12th board exams has not only increased compared to the overall student population, but their success rate with high marks has also improved significantly. Moreover, girls have shown a growing interest in subjects like Science over the past decade, with an even more remarkable increase among SC and ST girls.
Improvement in 12th Board Results
According to a study conducted by the Ministry of Education on the results of the 10th and 12th board exams over the last 11 years, a notable change has been observed. In 2024, compared to 2013, there has been an increase of 10.60% in the overall number of students appearing for the 12th exams, while the number of girls has increased by 19.8%—a doubling of their participation.
Girls’ Performance in 12th Exams
In the 12th board exams, the percentage of students passing with over 60% marks has increased by 85.8% overall, and by 95.7% for girls. Particularly noteworthy is the growth in performance among SC and ST girls, where their passing percentage has grown by 157% and 251%, respectively.
Increase in Girls Pursuing Science
Another significant change is the rise in girls opting for Science. Between 2013 and 2024, while the overall number of students pursuing science increased by 68%, the number of girls taking up science grew by 110%. Among SC and ST girls, the increase is even higher: 142% and 146%, respectively.
Improvement in 10th Board Exams
The trend was also visible in the 10th board exams. Compared to 2013, the number of girls passing the 10th exams increased by more than 9%, while the overall increase in the student population was only 3%. In the SC category, there was a 15% increase in the number of girls passing, while in the ST category, it was an 81% increase.
Girls Outperform Boys in Government and Private Schools
The increased performance of girls is seen across both government and private schools. In the 2024 10th board exams, the passing percentage of girls in government schools was 85.31%, surpassing the boys' pass rate of 81.82%. In private schools, 94.6% of girls passed, compared to 90.14% of boys.
The results of the 10th and 12th board exams clearly reflect the positive impact of the Beti Padhao Beti Bachao initiative, creating a more favorable environment for girls’ education.