70% of Delhi NIOS Class 10 Students Fail in 4 Years, RTI Reveals Major Education Flaws

A recent Right to Information (RTI) disclosure has revealed a concerning trend in Delhi’s education system — nearly 70% of students enrolled under the Delhi NIOS Project have failed their Class 10 examinations over the past four years.

The NIOS Project, initiated to support academically weaker students and curb dropout rates in Classes 9 and 10, appears to be falling short of its intended objectives, as shown by data from the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE).

In 2024, out of 7,794 students registered, only 2,842 cleared the Class 10 exams, bringing the pass percentage to just 37%. The pattern has been consistent in previous years, with the average pass rate stagnating around 30% since 2017.

Year-Wise NIOS Class 10 Performance

• 2017: 8,563 enrolled | 3,748 passed

• 2018: 18,344 enrolled | 12,096 passed

• 2019: 18,624 enrolled | 17,737 passed

• 2023: 29,436 enrolled | 7,658 passed

Despite the program’s goal of providing remedial education, the data suggests that thousands of students continue to lag academically, questioning the project’s execution and monitoring.

Lack of Coordination and Classroom Inclusion

Educators cite poor coordination between teachers and parents, coupled with limited classroom engagement, as primary causes behind the dismal results. Students enrolled under NIOS are often excluded from mainstream school environments, which further isolates them from consistent academic progress.

Teachers allege that attendance and performance reports are rarely communicated to parents, leaving little accountability or support.

Systemic Issues Undermining the Project

Reports also indicate that some school principals transfer academically weak students to NIOS to improve their CBSE board result averages, effectively sidelining struggling students instead of supporting their learning needs.

Education activists argue that this practice turns the NIOS pathway into a dumping ground for underperforming students rather than a genuine remedial system.

Criticism Over Curriculum Standards

Ashok Agarwal, President of the All India Parents Association, criticized the project for offering a “substandard curriculum” compared to CBSE, claiming it restricts passed students to limited streams like Arts in Class 11. “The government is playing with the future of poor children,” he stated.

The DoE’s Deputy Director for the NIOS Project, Hari Ram Sharma, was unavailable for comment despite multiple attempts.

The RTI findings raise serious questions about the implementation, inclusivity, and accountability of the Delhi NIOS Project, highlighting the urgent need for reforms in support mechanisms for academically weaker students.