🎓 Merit or Madness? How College Admissions Really Work in India
“I scored 92%. But I didn’t make it to the first list. What more do they want?”
That’s what 17-year-old Aanya whispered when she saw the cut-off list from a top Delhi college. Her face was blank, her eyes were tired, and her dreams—just for a moment—felt like they were slipping away.
If you’re a student in Class 11 or 12 in India, you’ve either felt this pressure—or you’re living it right now. The marks. The cut-offs. The scramble for seats.
It’s not just a system anymore—it feels like a judgment on your future.
Let’s sit down for a moment and understand:
What does “merit” really mean in Indian college admissions? Is it as fair as it sounds? And most importantly—how can you survive it without losing yourself?
📊 What Does “Merit” Even Mean?
In theory, merit-based selection is simple:
“You score high → You get the best colleges.”
But reality? Much more complicated.
Here’s what actually goes into most college admissions in India:
Board Exam Marks: Your Class 12 percentage is king—especially for universities like DU, MU, or state-run degree colleges.
Entrance Exams: For professional courses like engineering, law, design, and medical, your future depends on one test (JEE, NEET, CLAT, etc.)
Reservation Quotas: Seats are divided based on categories—SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD, state domicile, and more.
Subject Preference & Streams: Your course selection can affect your chance. (B.Com? Higher cut-off. Sanskrit? Surprisingly low.)
First Come, First Served (sometimes): Private colleges often go by availability—even if you score 99%.
So… is it really all about “merit”? Or is merit just marks + luck + location + category?
🧨 Why the System Feels Broken
1. One-Shot Pressure Cooker
Class 12 becomes the final boss level. One mistake? You’re out.
No one asks about your mental health, just your “percentage.”
2. Board Mark Inflation
Some boards are more “generous” than others. CBSE vs. State Boards? It’s a silent battle of numbers, not knowledge.
3. Geography = Destiny
A student in Delhi may need 98%.
A student in a smaller town may not even have access to top coaching.
But both are judged by the same cut-off list.
4. No Credit for Curiosity
In most colleges, nobody asks:
“Did you build a project?”
“Have you freelanced?”
“What are your actual interests?”
Just: “Marks kitne aaye?”
💭 Myths That Students Fall For
“Only top colleges = success”
Spoiler: Many successful people never went to IITs or St. Stephen’s.“If I don’t get in now, I’ve failed”
Truth: Life doesn’t run on cut-off lists. Your growth doesn’t expire at 18.“Plan B means giving up”
No. A well-designed Plan B is smarter than a blind Plan A.
✅ What You Can Do (That Actually Works)
🎯 1. Choose Right, Not Famous
Research courses, faculty, location, student life. A lesser-known college with active clubs and great projects may give you more value than a top name with nothing but pressure.
📚 2. Build Your Skills Outside the System
Learn tools (Excel, Canva, coding basics)
Freelance or intern
Start a blog or YouTube channel
Take free/paid online certifications
🧠 3. Design a Backup—Early
Options like:
Distance/Online/Hybrid Degrees (with flexibility)
Foreign university pathways (some don’t need top scores)
Diploma + Skill combo courses
A well-crafted alternate route can be a launchpad, not a fallback.
🌱 What ApniKitabh is Doing Differently
We’re tired of this rigid system too. That’s why at ApniKitabh, we’re creating:
📘 eBooks that explain careers, courses, and real-world opportunities in a language students understand
📂 Templates & Planners to help you organize your college selection and personal goals
🧠 Mentorship Programs (coming soon) with real people who cracked life without just relying on marks
🧰 Journals to track your progress, build focus, and reflect—because mental health matters
Because we believe:
You are more than your marks.
You are a learner, a doer, a dreamer—and there’s space for all of that outside a merit list.
💬 Final Words: From One Student to Another
If you’re feeling confused, overwhelmed, or even lost—it’s okay.
This system wasn’t designed with your uniqueness in mind.
But your journey? You get to design that.
Take a breath. Zoom out. Make decisions for your growth—not for anyone else’s expectations.
“The college you go to might open a door.
But who you are will decide how far you go.”
🔗 Let’s Redefine Merit—Together.
At ApniKitabh, we’re not judging you by your marks.
We’re helping you build a roadmap—one kitabh at a time.