New Delhi: While school life is often considered the best phase of a person’s life, a recent nationwide survey has revealed a deeply concerning trend among senior secondary students. According to a joint report, by the time students reach Class 12, their satisfaction with school life drops drastically, accompanied by a significant decline in self-confidence and an increase in emotional stress.
The comprehensive national survey was jointly conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) and the IC3 Institute. The findings have been published in a detailed document titled the ‘Student Well-being Pulse Report 2025-26’. The survey gathered responses from 8,515 students across various schools in the country to gauge their mental health, academic pressure, and overall satisfaction.
The report presents a striking contrast between middle school and high school students. While 57 percent of Class 8 students expressed satisfaction with their school life (with only 23 percent reporting low satisfaction), this positivity fades significantly over the years. By Class 12, a staggering 59 percent of students reported being dissatisfied with their school experience, and a mere 19 percent acknowledged high satisfaction.
The survey further highlights a troubling dip in the mental health and emotional well-being of senior students. While 62 percent of Class 8 students reported satisfaction with their mental health, this figure plummeted to just 43 percent among Class 12 students. Furthermore, the percentage of students who felt “often or always happy” dropped from 65 percent in Class 8 to 48 percent in Class 12. Similarly, students’ self-confidence levels dipped from 64 percent to 47 percent over the same four-year span.
Negative emotions and stress appear to escalate as board exams approach. The survey revealed that the proportion of students who felt “often or always worried” increased from 22 percent in Class 8 to 37 percent in Class 12. Additionally, students reporting low energy levels surged from 27 percent to 44 percent.
Despite the academic stress, 63 percent of the surveyed students mentioned that they were highly satisfied with their personal lives, particularly their relationships with friends and family.
The ‘Student Well-being Pulse Report’ strongly emphasises that judging a student’s emotional health merely through exam scores, mock tests, and board results is inadequate. The survey urges educational institutions to establish better, more accessible systems within schools to support and monitor the mental and emotional well-being of students, especially as they transition to higher, more demanding classes.