Himachal Pradesh Student Fights for Life After Board Error

A tragic incident in Himachal Pradesh has left a Class 12 student fighting for her life after being mistakenly declared a failure in her board exams. Following her distress over the initial results, she attempted suicide, only to have the board later revise her marks to pass. This error has raised serious concerns about the accountability of the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education and has sparked outrage among the community, demanding a thorough investigation into the evaluation process. The situation highlights the immense pressure students face and the potential consequences of administrative mistakes.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 22, 2025, 15:29 IST

Tragic Incident Following Examination Mistake

In Mandi, a serious incident has unfolded involving a Class 12 student from Himachal Pradesh, who reportedly attempted suicide after being mistakenly marked as failing and then later passing in her revised results. This distressing event took place in the Palampur area of Kangra district, and the young girl is currently in critical condition at Tanda Medical College.

Family Background and Initial Results

The student, who lost her father years ago, lives with her widowed mother and two sisters, who are the family's primary earners.

On May 17, the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) announced the results of the Class 12 examinations, indicating that she had failed in English with 22 marks and Political Science with 24 marks.

Desperate Actions and Revised Results

Devastated by the initial results, the student allegedly ingested pesticide and was quickly taken to Tanda Medical College, where her condition remains critical, with her kidneys reportedly failing. In a surprising turn of events, just four days later, on May 21, the Board released a revised marksheet, granting her 44 marks in both subjects, thus declaring her as passed.

Investigation and Community Response

A formal complaint has been filed at the Panchrukhi police station, and an investigation is underway. The family, along with local residents, is calling for accountability from HPBOSE for the distress caused by this error.

Wider Impact of HPBOSE's Mistake

This incident has not only affected the student but has also led to a broader revision of results by HPBOSE. The updated statistics show a notable increase in overall performance: 86,373 students appeared for the exams, with the initial pass count at 71,591, which has now risen to 76,315, reflecting an increase of 4,724 students passing.

The overall pass percentage has improved from 83.16% to 88.64%, while the number of failures decreased from 8,581 to 5,868, indicating that 2,713 students were either promoted or moved to the compartment category.

Calls for Accountability and Inquiry

The situation has ignited outrage among students, parents, and the community, with many demanding a thorough investigation into how such a significant error occurred during the evaluation and result announcement process. Education advocates emphasize that the mental health of students is already under strain, and such mistakes can lead to tragic outcomes.