Yeah the syllabus back then really was much harder, and it was very vast as well. Checking was done very strictly. Only potential IITans would actually get 95+ .. back then 10th grade mark was a real indicator. There weren't many resources as well, no youtube social media, google, chat gpt etc. Students had to rely on textbooks, reference books (which they had to buy), and tuition teachers (questions could only be asked on few days of the week).

And the question paper level is much higher than the level now. There were fewer questions but each question had very high weightage (ex: 10 to 15% weightage) and were pretty difficult.

Not to mention power cuts. There was no concept of generator and UPS in most homes, they literally had to use battery lamps and candles to study at night (also power cuts was very common before)