To send a message to young professionals, ex-HCL Tech CEO shares his class 12 marksheet

Vineet Nayar, the former CEO of HCL Technologies, recently reflected on his experience with board exams, sharing his thoughts on LinkedIn about how they didn’t shape his future as he once thought. In a light-hearted post, Nayar recounted the nerve-wracking experience of walking into his exams, comparing it to a dramatic scene from a Shah Rukh Khan film. He humorously noted that despite the anxiety and pressure, his board results didn’t end up being the defining factor of his life. He also shared a snap of his class 12 marksheet.

He shared that, over the years, he’s realized that no one ever asked about his marks, not even once. He quipped that marks are often overrated, much like catchy Bollywood item songs—important at the moment but irrelevant later on. According to Nayar, the true focus should be on confidence, which plays a much larger role in determining success than any academic score. Even though his grades were average, he was still able to secure college admission, proving that self-assurance matters more than academic performance.

Nayar also reflected on the lives of the top scorers in his batch, noting that many of them peaked early and faced burnout, while others, often those considered “backbenchers,” have done just fine. He emphasized that life isn’t a short sprint but a long, evolving journey, much like a Netflix series.


In his post, Nayar underscored that board exams don't measure intelligence—life does. He joked about his poor performance in subjects like Chemistry but pointed out that life doesn’t test academic knowledge; instead, it challenges one’s ability to think, adapt, and exude confidence. His advice to parents was clear: don’t treat exams as the ultimate milestone in your child’s life. For students, he encouraged focusing on building a meaningful story rather than obsessing over marks. Ultimately, what matters is how you navigate life, not the grades you scored years ago.

Internet reacts

One user argued that board exams are crucial beyond just academics, as they teach valuable life skills like resilience, discipline, and adaptability. They pointed out that exams offer a real-world experience of struggle, learning, and personal growth, highlighting that success requires consistent effort and a trained mindset. According to this perspective, while scores are important, the process of learning and the skills developed through it matter more.

Another commenter humorously referred to board exams as "The Great Indian Circus," suggesting that while marks are often emphasized, life skills are ultimately more significant. They likened the importance of marks to an arranged marriage—initially hyped but less meaningful in the long run.

A third individual reflected on how teachers once told them that board exam results would always be the first thing asked in life. Looking back, they realized that exams were merely one chapter in the larger story of life, not the entire narrative.