“95% laye to ghadi, varna chadi”—every tune of this song from 3 Idiots seemed to pierce our hearts. Students in Classes 11 and 12 know all too well the pressure of scoring well. But did we ever stop to ask ourselves what would happen if we did not score well? Over the years, an image has been created in our minds that success will remain out of reach if we fail to secure high marks in a particular examination. Fortunately, however, the world of work does not always follow the logic of the report card.A recent post by Vikas Alwys on X has sparked that uncomfortable conversation. It tells the story of Aditya Jamwal, a B.Tech Computer Science Engineering graduate from JIIT Noida, who reportedly finished with a 6.8 CGPA and is now working as a software engineer at Microsoft in Hyderabad, with an annual package of more than Rs 32 lakh.The striking comparison came next. According to the post, a class topper with a 9.2 CGPA is working at a startup with a reported salary of Rs 6 lakh. If the figures are accurate, the difference is more than Rs 26 lakh a year.That line captures a larger shift taking place in the employment market. Academic performance can open doors, particularly for a fresher seeking the first opportunity. But once inside the interview room, employers increasingly want to know what a candidate can actually do.
Beyond the marksheet
The post says Jamwal spent his time developing skills that could be tested in a real interview rather than concentrating solely on internal scores.He reportedly worked extensively on around 50 data structures and algorithms patterns, built a project substantial enough to withstand detailed questioning, learnt low-level system design, strengthened his understanding of operating systems, databases and computer networks, and developed familiarity with generative AI fundamentals.There is a lesson here, but it needs to be understood carefully.This is not an argument that marks are useless. Good grades can reflect consistency, discipline and subject knowledge. They can also matter for campus placements, scholarships and higher education.The real problem begins when marks become the destination rather than the foundation.
The larger lesson
Technology has made the gap between academic credentials and practical ability increasingly visible. There are developers who have built impressive careers without exceptional academic records. There are also entrepreneurs who left formal education altogether and went on to build successful companies.But these stories should not become another shortcut to success.A low CGPA does not automatically make someone talented, just as a high CGPA does not make someone incapable.The more important question is what a student does with the years spent earning that number.Marks may tell a part of the story. Skills, curiosity, problem-solving ability and the courage to build something of one’s own often tell the rest.In the end, perhaps the goal should not be to chase the highest number on a marksheet.It should be to become the person who can answer confidently when the marksheet is finally put aside, and someone asks, “What can you actually do?”
