The standard deviation combined with a large population means any automated system targeting the populace is ethically bound to increase the number of nines it

The standard deviation combined with a large population means any automated system targeting the populace is ethically bound to increase the number of nines it must put in to ensure quality. This means having the necessary checks, balances, redundancies. 23 out of 320000 is still too many. Abstraction - in this case the govt wanting to offload the logistics of exams - requires the govt to retain sufficient visibility and checks into the process. I believe the education board isn't that naive to not do that. The issue is that in India, graduation can mean the difference between poverty and at least a modest livelihood. Sometime ago I read an article where the journalist argued that that motivation for going to college in the US isn't high 'cos you can have a middle class living without a degree. In India, and perhaps in China too, that doesn't happen. The eye to see potential in people and invest in them instead of using metrics like exam marks would go a long way. As another poster noted, the new India isn't that naive to think that marks are the end all, but for many it continues to play a significant role in their aspirations. The more examples of independence that get publicised, the more our young will be inspired. Edit: fixed total number.