Mumbai: The performance of art students in class 12 examinations has seen a significant decline in the last five years, even the nomination numbers for the stream have diverted. According to data from Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, in 2020, 90.66% art students passed the board examination, which increased to 80.52 in 2025.
In 2021, when the epidemics were on, the pass percentage increased by 99.83%, roughly due to alternative assessment methods. However, as the regular assessment resumed in 2022, the results fell significantly to 90.51%, and the trend continues from bottom.
Also, the number of students choosing the stream of art is also decreasing. In 2021, 3,76,412 students appeared for class 12 Arts Examination, which fell to 3,49,696 in 2025. In Stark Contrast, there has been a steady increase in enrollment in the section of science, increasing from 5,44,786 to 7,35,003 in 2025 with candidates.
Teachers point to many reasons behind interest in art. Raju Shinde, a retired Marathi teacher, said that art was always a last solution for students and only 5% to 6% only actually chose it out of passion. “Such students usually enroll in top level colleges in urban centers,” he said. “But many colleges in small towns and rural areas are unable to fill the seats, which makes the entire divisions closed.”
Varsha Malwade, a professor at an economics, Ruia College, saw that other streams quickly adapted to modern demands with new professional courses, the art stream lagged behind. “Arts also have a career capacity, but there is a lack of both awareness and courses,” he said. A principal of a Palghar-based college agreed. “Even in rural areas, family courses prefer courses who promise job opportunities quickly after graduation,” he said. “Self-funded professional courses in science and commerce, such as biotechnology and banking and finance, are also attracted to students with minor scores, ignoring further art.”
Some urban college are trying to deer. Rajendra Shinde, Principal of St. Xavier’s College, explained, “We have upgraded our curriculum and introduced innovative combinations such as economics and BA in Statistics, Psychology and English, and even MA in Life Consultation. These changes have helped to attract more students.”
However, Shinde admitted that such opportunities were largely limited to the colleges of the city. “In rural areas, many students still see art as a final measure, mainly due to lack of information and limited options,” he said. “This not only affects enrollment, but also the result.”
A principal of Murud shared that as part of the school outreach program at the University of Mumbai this year, he joined schools in his field to promote art faculty programs. “We hope this initiative will increase nomination this year,” he said.
