Kolkata: A record 131 students secured positions in the top 10 list of the Madhyamik examination this year, the highest number in recent years. Avirup Bhadra from Sarada Vidyamandir (Raiganj) High School claimed the top rank with 698 marks, equivalent to 99.7 percent. The results were announced on Friday. In comparison, last year only 66 students shared the top 10 ranks.
Overall Performance
The pass percentage for the state board Class 10 exams increased marginally from 86.6 percent last year to 86.8 percent this year. Out of 9,53,753 students who appeared, 8,06,015 cleared the examination. More girls participated than boys, but their success rate was lower at 84.5 percent compared to 89.5 percent for boys. Although scores in second language, mathematics, and physical science declined, students achieved above 90 percent more frequently in geography, life science, and history.
District-Wise Distribution of Top Rankers
The top 10 positions are shared by students from various districts: 14 from North Dinajpur (including Bhadra), 23 from East Midnapore, 11 from South 24 Parganas (seven of them from RKM Narendrapur), nine from Purulia, eight from North 24 Parganas, 14 from Bankura, nine from Hooghly, seven from Cooch Behar, six from Birbhum, five from Malda, five from East Burdwan, four from Howrah, three each from Nadia, South Dinajpur, West Midnapore, and Murshidabad, two from Alipurduar, and one each from West Burdwan and Jhargram. Notably, no student from Kolkata district made it to the top 131, surprising heads of prominent city schools.
Board President's Response
Ramanuj Ganguly, president of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, dismissed any possibility of bias against Kolkata students, stating that the results are purely based on performance. "We cater to a wide range of students, many of whom are first-generation learners. It would be unfair to compare them with students from other boards that produce many high-scorers from Kolkata," he said. He also noted that the board does not use multiple-choice questions, which are common in other board examinations.
Teachers Cite Gaps
Teachers at Kolkata state schools highlighted disparities between teaching-learning and question patterns. Saugata Basu, general secretary of the West Bengal Government School Teachers' Association, observed, "This year, questions in several subjects, including life science and mathematics, were more application-based and difficult. However, students rarely practice such questions in class. Teacher shortages and fewer teaching days due to long vacations also contributed." Subhrajit Dutta, headmaster of Hindu School, attributed the decline in high-scorers from the city to over-reliance on technology, especially artificial intelligence. Partha Pratim Baidya, headmaster of Jadavpur Vidyapith, suggested that more teacher orientation programs could reverse the trend. "The question pattern is changing everywhere, so we must change our mindset and prepare students accordingly. Practice was insufficient for the number of application-based questions this year."
School-Wise Performance
Among students scoring 90 percent and above: RKM Narendrapur had 129 out of 134 students, Jadavpur Vidyapith had 10 out of 166, Patha Bhavan had 36 out of 194, Jodhpur Park Boys' had 18 out of 102, and Scottish Church Collegiate School had 26 out of 216. In contrast, Hindu School had only four out of 126, and Ballygunge Government had seven out of 101. Swami Ishteshananda, headmaster of RKM Narendrapur, attributed their success to rigorous practice and regular tests.
Check Madhyamik Result 2026 online at TOI and real-time WB 10th result updates.
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