What’s the value of being a topper?

The alleged confession by the man at the centre of the 'Toppergate' scam in Bihar that he charged Rs 4 lakh to grant affiliation to dubious colleges is not surprising. However, the fact that he demanded Rs 20 lakh to ensure candidates 'topped' in examinations is puzzling.

Cases of people bribing — or being bribed — to secure jobs, tenders, projects, college affiliations and other such sources of pecuniary profit is fairly commonplace in India. 'Spend some now to earn more later' is the operative maxim for this crooked practice. However, paying out considerable sums just to be declared a topper, that too in examinations that do not guarantee of any of the aforementioned deliverables, is rather unusual in the current transactional Indian context.

Even those who top the hard — that is, the honest — way in school-leaving examinations get but a few days of fame and then have to deal with next stage of their careers, academic and professional, as best they can. Being toppers assures nothing tangible. Yet, the business of selling top ranks at a premium — and ordinary pass marks at lower rates — seems to be flourishing. Why ersatz Bihar 'toppers' do not save their money for more crucial hurdles — like clearing professional qualification examinations — is inexplicable. Unless, of course, they have money salted away for all stages.