Between Meritocracy and Madness

RIWAJ ROKA

“Success Ke Peeche Mat Bhaago, Excellence Ka Peecha Karo…”

 But What Happens When Excellence Becomes Exhaustion?

In contemporary India, recent events surrounding competitive examinations have unfolded with dramatic intensity, almost resembling the climax of a political thriller. The UPSC Civil Services Examination, often regarded as one of the toughest and most prestigious examinations in the country, has increasingly begun to feel less like a rigorous process of selecting the nation’s finest bureaucrats and more like a game of uncertainty and probability, and yes, I am talking about the UPSC Prelims 2026.

As someone who may aspire to appear for the examination in the future, I observe the process with both admiration and apprehension. The immense dedication of aspirants who devote years of relentless effort, discipline, and emotional sacrifice makes the unpredictability of outcomes appear deeply unsettling.

For many, the examination is no longer merely competitive; it often feels psychologically exhausting and emotionally consuming.

Simultaneously, controversies surrounding examination integrity have intensified public distrust. The recent concerns over alleged paper leaks in examinations such as NEET and SSC GD have once again raised critical questions regarding transparency, accountability, and institutional credibility within India’s recruitment and educational systems. Such incidents inevitably weaken public faith in the ideal of meritocracy and foster the perception that systemic inefficiencies and political influences continue to overshadow fairness.

"Rajesh Kumar sat staring at a chemistry book in his tin roofed shed in Jhunjhunu district of India’s western Rajasthan state. Kumar never went to school and cannot read a word, but the book carried the last traces of his son."

These lines from a report by Al Jazeera, written by Aatif Ammad, truly bring goosebumps and elevate the emotional captivation surrounding the student’s father, whose son died by suicide following the so called cancellation of the examination conducted by an agency of the world’s largest democracy.

According to the article by Murali Krishnan in Deutsche Welle, student suicides have reached an alarming scale in India, with students making up 7.6% of the country’s total suicide deaths, according to a recently released report by the National Crime Records Bureau. The report, which used the most recent data from 2022, showed that an estimated 13,000 students die every year by suicide in India. Official figures for suicides in 2023 and 2024 have yet to be published.

And now we are in 2026, yet many of these anxieties remain painfully unchanged.

It amazes me to see the realities and the mental health conditions of the youth and students of India, the 20s, which should ideally be among the most enjoyable phases of life, instead being consumed by the rat race of examinations and pressure, trapped between mental atrocities and expectations.

Especially, in contrast to the rest of India, I am truly concerned by the growing trends of NEET, JEE, UPSC, and government examination obsession in our Kalimpong and Darjeeling region.

"Mathlo ghar ko baini le ta SSC clear garecha!!" A happy moment though taunting for many.

These are thoughts that have, at one point or another, echoed through countless Nepali households. It is, above all, a humble appeal to parents not to place unbearable pressure upon their precious children. For parents, their children are their entire world; likewise, for children, their parents constitute a universe of emotional belonging and hope.

Some may dismiss these reflections on academic pressure due to my relative inexperience, and perhaps that criticism is understandable. Yet, these very emotions and anxieties have undoubtedly surfaced within the hearts and minds of countless students. While dreams may differ from one individual to another, the burden of expectations and the relentless pursuit of success often become overwhelmingly intense.

Many students sacrifice their time, aspirations, personal happiness, and even their mental well being for the sake of a single examination. However, the increasing unpredictability, extreme competitiveness, and, at times, poorly administered conduct of such examinations deeply affect the student community. In many ways, these experiences raise concerns about whether meritocracy is gradually being weakened by systemic inefficiencies and institutional distrust.

These incidents take me back to one of my favourite films, 3 Idiots.......The tragic suicide of Joy Lobo in 3 Idiots remains a heartbreaking reminder of how our education system often prioritizes grades over human lives. When Joy takes his own life after being denied an extension by the ruthless principal, Dr. Viru Sahastrabuddhe ("Virus"), it is Rancho who bravely exposes the institutional rot. At Joy's funeral, Rancho directly confronts Virus, boldly stating that Joy's death was not a suicide, but a murder caused by the immense mental pressure inflicted by the college.

The next day in the principal's office, Virus challenges Rancho to teach a class, leading to one of the most iconic and educational scenes in Indian cinema. By inventing absurd scientific terms such as “Farhanitrate” and “Prerajulization,” Rancho brilliantly exposes the flaws of the system. Within ninety seconds, he reduces a room full of bright students and a veteran professor to a panicked mess of people blindly flipping through books. Through this powerful lesson, Rancho teaches us that our system focuses entirely on the "rat race"........the relentless pursuit of being first rather than the actual joy of learning. It highlights a vital truth our country desperately needs to understand: while every institution knows what to teach, very few understand how to teach. Education should inspire curiosity and invention, not cultivate fear and blind memorization.

India is often portrayed as the largest democracy in the world, yet the truth still hurts its people. At times, public discourse appears more consumed by diplomatic spectacle and political symbolism than by the everyday anxieties faced by students and ordinary citizens.

Certainly, it is important to praise our beautiful India for its achievements in diplomacy, economic growth, strategic development, and international stature, all of which reflect the aspirations of a rising global power.

“I still remember moments during the Bengal elections when sections of the media appeared more focused on symbolic or sensational discussions, while serious issues ranging from Manipur to Ladakh continued demanding urgent national attention.” 

Irony. 

Perhaps many readers have already recognized these contradictions themselves.

However, true democracy also demands criticism of the setbacks, mistakes, and ignored issues that continue to affect ordinary citizens, especially the youth. Problems such as examination irregularities, unemployment, institutional inefficiency, and lack of accountability cannot simply be overshadowed by international recognition and political spectacle. A strong nation is not only one that succeeds globally, but one that also possesses the courage to confront its internal shortcomings with honesty, transparency, and responsibility.

Moving in and around criticism, how can we forget our most recent proud moment, Gambir Singh Yonzone, an 87 year old botanist and educationist from Kalimpong, receiving the Padma Shri? A proud moment not only for my home town Kalimpong, but for the entire Eastern Himalayas.

Nevertheless, the purpose of criticism is not to diminish India, but to strengthen it. A democracy as vast and vibrant as India possesses the potential to reform itself through accountability, transparency, and public dialogue. The dreams of millions of students should never become casualties of administrative negligence or political spectacle. True national progress lies not merely in global recognition or diplomatic prestige, but in the ability of a nation to protect the dignity, mental well being, and aspirations of its own youth.

Our country - the Golden Bird - the timeless civilization where the Himalayas stand like guardians of eternity and the oceans bow at her feet. The legendary land of Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, B. R. Ambedkar and many more legends……. a nation where spirituality met science, and resilience continues to triumph over adversity. And perhaps that is why criticism too becomes an act of patriotism, because true love for India lies not only in celebrating her glory, but also in striving to heal her imperfections. As long as the dreams of her youth continue to survive, the spirit of India shall continue to rise.

After all, the future of India is not built only within parliamentary debates or international summits, but also within the silent rooms where countless students continue studying with hope despite uncertainty.

A room filled with the voices of Karl Marx, John Rawls, B. R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Ram Manohar Lohia, Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, Vladimir Lenin, Antonio Gramsci, Bhagat Singh, and countless other thinkers and ideas, surely develops students’ minds with curiosity and ideals, enabling them to carry and deliver the torch of responsibility for our democracy to even greater heights.

As a college student myself, I may still lack the experience to fully understand the enormity of these struggles. Yet I still remember the simple phrase from 3 Idiots - “Aal izz well.” Not as an escape from reality, but as a quiet reminder to remain resilient against fear, anxiety, and self-doubt. The pressures at different stages of life may vary, and responsibilities may weigh heavily upon the heart and mind, but regardless of how uncertain the path may appear, one must continue believing that life eventually finds its way toward hope and meaning - much like Farhan, Raju, and Rancho, who too encountered struggles and uncertainties before ultimately finding their own sense of success and purpose.

(The writer is an under graduate student from Kalimpong, West Bengal. Views are personal. Email: riwajroka57@gmail.com)