
It happens only in India—your child just aced their Class 10 boards; then comes Class 11 — and suddenly, the marks dip, the confidence wavers, and motivation seems to vanish. Introducing… “The Great Indian Dip.” This is a commonly known phenomenon that even universities abroad are aware of where class 10 marks of Indian students are stellar, yet we see a fall in class 11 and… then again, the hero rises from the ashes in class 12, and we see fantastic predicted marks and board results.
This Dip is so common, that students who avoid a big dip and whose marks show a steady trajectory really get notices by admission officers in universities across the world. Let’s break down how you, as parents, can support your child through this period and help them stand out as students with a steady academic performance.

Why the Dip Happens?
There are a few reasons as to why this happens to most Indian students in class 11.
Academic Leap: There is a huge jump in the syllabus from class 10 to 11 which takes students by surprise. The courses become more conceptual particularly in science/ math heavy subjects. Students who could study at the last minute in class 10 and score well will not be able to adopt the same methods successfully in class 11.
Teaching Shift: With one set of board exams out of the way, schools now expect more independent learning. Teachers no longer handhold kids with each chapter and the pace of study is fast. The expectation is that the student will keep up with the pace.
Change in Structure: Class 11 introduces new subjects, longer hours and coaching classes for most students. That can vary from JEE, NEET, CLAT to SAT for the ones applying abroad.

Lack of Clear Goals: While students feel they don’t have any immediate high- stakes exams to focus on, they forget that class 11 marks are shared with most universities. All Indian private universities and all universities abroad expect you to include the class 11 final marks.
The Emotional Toll
Class 11 tends to be a high stress period of students. Cognitive and emotional developments affect their motivation, sleep and particularly their attention spans. Many students go through an identity crisis during this time questioning their subject and career choices particularly those who struggle with the new subjects. This tends to deepen the dip.

What Parents Typically Do (But Shouldn’t)
- Scolding, comparison, pushing for more tuition
- Blaming screen time or “laziness.”
- Micromanaging every moment

What Parents Can Do Instead
- Warn them about the Dip– Students should know that the dip is common and therefore prepare a bit in advance to not let it happen. If it does happen, assure them that it is recoverable.
- Focus on Habits– Help the students develop a schedule that works for them. They should have enough study time and enough chill time. If they can learn to follow a schedule early on, they will be able to manage their time in class 12 and college too.
- Have Strategic Check Ins– Try and have a weekly chat with them about how things are going, if they are facing any difficulties, whether academic or personal. Try to make it like a regular chat rather than pressure.
- Watch for Burnout or Mental Health Signals- If they seem too distracted, it’s advisable to get an ADHD checkup done. If they are working constantly and not taking enough breaks, that’s also not a good sign.
- Offer Tools- Offer to help them wherever needed. Tutors, Coaches- where required. Sit with them while they are studying, do your own thing on the side while they study so they’re not alone and are accountable.

When the Dip Becomes a Red Flag
- Major emotional withdrawal
- Repeated Low Scores
- Zero Motivation
If you notice these signs repeatedly, it may be time to seek outside help. Maybe the subjects are not working for them or they need counseling or further academic support.
If your child’s marks have taken a hit in Class 11, don’t panic. It’s not a failure- just a phase and more common that you think. This year teaches them how to switch from rote learning to independent thinking, how to balance many things at once, and most importantly, how to deal with failure — all skills that have no place on a report card but teach lifelong lessons. So take a breath, stay steady, and remember: one dip doesn’t define the journey.
The writer is Founder and CEO, Inomi Learning, a Gurugram-based career and college guidance firm. info@inomi.in
The original article was first published in ‘The Hindu’, on June 14th, 2025.
With inputs from Kritika Malhotra, Lead Counsellor at Inomi Learning.

Richa Dwivedi Saklani is a certified coach from UCLA and is an accredited MBTI trainer who has worked with over 10,000 people across career planning and as a behavioral trainer in companies. She is the CEO & Founder of Inomi Learning and author of “The Ultimate Guide to 21st Century Careers”.