India, July 7 -- Are the near cent per cent marks a sign of higher intelligence or a profound systemic failure?

I am afraid there is no readymade answer to this question. However, a sincere attempt can be made to diagnose the underlying pathological condition of exceptional academic performance from the perspectives of different stakeholders; namely, parents, institutions, future employers, and students.

Parents: In India, the sense of pride associated with raising an academically exceptional child is something difficult to express in words. It is the ultimate validation to prove their worth as successful parents. It is the most desired and institutionally validated certificate that helps parents in covering every other possible flaw in...