PATNA: A little over half of the students, who appeared for the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Class 10 or matriculation examination, were declared successful on Thursday. The results were a dismal 50.12%, with a marginal improvement of 3% over last year, even though eight grace marks were granted to the students
The overall pass percentage of Class 10 or matriculation exam increased by around 3% this year as compared to last year as 8,63,950 or 50.12% students out of the 17,23,911 examinees cleared the exam. Around 8.61 lakh students failed.
Prem Kumar of the Sree Govind High School in Lakhisarai district topped the exams with 465 out of 500, securing 93% marks. Bhavya Kumari of Simultala Residential School in Jamui district came second with 464 out of 500 marks (92.8%), followed by Harshita Kumari with 462 out of 500 (92.4%) marks.
Officials said 13.91% students secured first division, 26.88% second division and 9.32% third division.
Announcing the results, BSEB chairperson Anand Kishor said the board had taken utmost care to double-check the answer books of toppers besides carrying out their physical verification. The board constituted a panel to review the answer sheets of the toppers and physically verify them.
It decided to physically verify the toppers after Class 12 or intermediate arts topper Ganesh Kumar fudged his age and changed his name to reappear for the matriculation (Class 10) and Class 12 exams this year. The BSEB subsequently removed his name from the merit list.
The results were delayed by a few weeks as some of the toppers failed to appear before the board. The board called around 40 students in the top 10 list for physical verification and review of their copies.
Last year, the result was declared on May 29.
“During physical verification, I had to appear for an interview in front of a panel of subject experts who asked me different questions,” Bhavya Kumari, the second topper, said. Asked what she wanted to do in the future, Bhavya said, “I want to crack the UPSC (civil services) exams.”
“I am really happy with my performance,” Harshita Kumari, who stood third, said.
The Bihar government has announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh, a laptop and e-book reader for the topper. The second topper will get Rs 50,000, a laptop and e-book while the third topper will be given Rs 15,000, laptop and e-book.
The Bihar board granted eight grace marks to students in order to improve the overall pass percentage this year. The BSEB took consent from the state government for granting grace marks to students, who failed in one subject and four in each subject for those who fail in two subjects.
{{/usCountry}}The Bihar board granted eight grace marks to students in order to improve the overall pass percentage this year. The BSEB took consent from the state government for granting grace marks to students, who failed in one subject and four in each subject for those who fail in two subjects.
{{/usCountry}}This year, the BSEB Class 10 exam was held from March 1 to March 8.