The Punjab government has announced a significant reform in its board examination ranking system by abolishing the longstanding practice of using date of birth as a tie-breaker for students with identical marks. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains revealed this decision following a meeting of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) and feedback from students during the 'Sitare Zameen Te' felicitation event on May 31, where Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann recognized district toppers. The new policy ensures that students achieving the same scores will receive equal ranks, promoting fairness in the evaluation process. Bains emphasized that under this new system, a student with identical marks to the top scorer will no longer be disadvantaged due to their age. Additionally, the PSEB is implementing changes to question paper design, shifting towards competency-based assessments crafted by subject experts. This aims to prioritize understanding and analytical skills over rote memorization, ultimately reducing opportunities for cheating and enhancing the integrity of examinations.