Equal marks will result in same rank; Punjab government makes major change in Punjab Board exams

July 9, 2026

The Punjab government has changed the system of awarding ranks based on date of birth in the 8th, 10th, and 12th board exams. Previously, if more than two students scored the same marks in the Punjab Board exams, they were not all given the same rank. Mathematics

In case of equal marks, the student with the higher age was placed at the top of the merit list. The younger student was placed at the bottom. On May 31, 2026, at the “Sitare Zameen Te” ceremony, a district topper questioned this rule before Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. The student stated that despite having equal marks, she was placed lower in the merit list solely because of her younger age, which is unfair.

The student questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, saying, “We come from Amritsar and study in the same class. We were given first, second, and third places based on our age.” We all worked equally hard and got the same marks. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann took cognizance of this and ordered the Education Board to change the rule, which has now been implemented.

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bansal confirmed the abolition of this rule, stating that from now on, all students scoring the same marks will be given the same rank. The old rule, which prioritized age over academic performance in case of a tie, has been abolished.

The Punjab government, announcing this on X, wrote: “Abolishing the Punjab School Education Board’s evaluation system, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has decided that students scoring the same marks in board examinations will now be given the same rank, ending the long-standing practice of using date of birth as a tie-breaker.”