New Delhi: As board exam results are announced across India, the pressure to perform academically often weighs heavily on students. In this context, a tweet by IAS officer Jitin Yadav, originally shared on August 9, 2023, has resurfaced and gone viral in May 2025, delivering a timely message of hope. Yadav, a 2016 batch officer of the West Bengal cadre, used cricketing legend Virat Kohli’s 2004 Class 10 CBSE marksheet to emphasize that success is not defined by academic scores alone. Currently serving as ADM(Land Reforms), Howrah, West Bengal and Course Director at the Satyendranath Tagore Civil Services Study Centre, a Government of West Bengal initiative to mentor UPSC aspirants, Yadav’s words continue to resonate with students.

In an exclusive conversation with Bureaucrats India, Yadav addressed students feeling disheartened by their results, saying, “To all young friends who may be feeling disheartened by their Class X or XII results- Let me remind you with absolute clarity: your marks are not the ultimate measure of your worth or potential.” 

His posts on X, first shared in 2023, aims to alleviate the stress surrounding board exams, reminding students that their future is not dictated by a single test. The viral post, which gained renewed attention in May 2025, features Kohli’s Class 10 CBSE marksheet from Saviour Convent Secondary School in Delhi’s A-2 Paschim Vihar. Kohli, who scored a modest 69.83% in 2004, excelled in English with 83 marks and Social Science with 81, but struggled in Mathematics with 51. His other scores included 75 in Hindi, 74 in Introductory IT (despite a low theory score of 16), and 55 in Science and Technology. The tweet’s resurgence coincided with Kohli’s Test cricket retirement announcement on May 12, 2025, and the ongoing board exam result season, amplifying its relevance.




Speaking to Bureaucrats India in reference to this post, Yadav added, “A single exam, no matter how important it may seem today, does not define who you are or what you are capable of achieving. Success has many doors, and academic scores are just one of them.” He stressed that determination and hard work often lead to success, even for those who face academic challenges.

Yadav’s role at the Satyendranath Tagore Civil Services Study Centre involves guiding aspiring civil servants, giving him insight into the pressures young people face.

He further inspired students, saying, “History is full of people who stumbled in school but soared in life. What truly matters is your resilience, your ability to learn from setbacks, and your courage to keep going.” 

Kohli’s journey, from an average student to one of India’s greatest cricketers, exemplifies this message. Kohli’s 15-year career, which ended with his Test retirement in 2025, included leading India to numerous victories and earning accolades like the ICC Cricketer of the Decade. The tweet’s resurgence in May 2025, just after Kohli’s retirement, sparked widespread discussions on X about redefining success. Kohli’s retirement came after a stellar career, where he scored 9230 runs in 123 Tests, with 30 centuries, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian cricket.

Yadav concluded his message to Bureaucrats India with a call to action, “So, don’t let a number on a mark sheet steal your confidence. This is not the end, it’s only the beginning. Dream bigger, work harder, and believe in the unique journey that lies ahead for you. Stay hopeful. Stay committed. The best is yet to come. Wishing you strength, purpose, and the determination to rise.” His words encourage students to look beyond setbacks and focus on their long-term goals.

The response to Yadav’s message has been overwhelmingly positive, with many on X praising his effort to shift the narrative around academic performance.

BI Bureau