Patna Science College will felicitate its toppers for the first time on its foundation day ceremony on November 15.

The students’ community has welcomed the college’s initiative. While the college has never felicitated its toppers before, every year one or two students from here topped the university and would be felicitated by Patna University. But, this year, even the varsity failed to felicitate undergraduate toppers during its foundation day on October 1.

The Patna Science College, established in 1927, will mark its 86th foundation day on November 15. On the occasion, it will felicitate 10 toppers, one each from seven regular and three vocational courses. The main function would be held at the geology department’s auditorium.

The branch-wise undergraduate toppers (session 2012-13) are Rohit Singh (physics), Anjali (chemistry), Amit Kumar (botany), Farah Ashique (zoology), Aniket Kumar (geology), Omprakash (mathematics), Navneet Kumar (statistics).

The three students from vocational (self-financing) courses who will be felicitated include Khusbu Kumari (computer application), Amrita (environmental science) and Niranjan Kumar (biotechnology).

Aniket Kumar, the geology topper in 2012-13, told The Telegraph: “The felicitation is just a token of respect, but it is a proud moment for us to receive medals and certificates from distinguished persons.” Besides, honouring the toppers brings in a sense of competition, motivating students to perform well in their studies. The 10 students who will be felicitated will be presented a medal, certificate and anga vastram. The college administration has also invited parents of the toppers.

Atul Aditya Pandey, a college teacher and convener of Patna Science College foundation day celebration, said: “Apart from felicitating undergraduate topper students, we are also going to invite parents of undergraduate toppers and felicitate them too on the occasion.”

The college administration has decided to invite a prominent alumnus of the college as chief guest though the final decision will be taken on November 8.

Patna Science College opened initially as Patna University’s science department but started functioning independently from 1928. Spread over 28.32 acres, the college has different blocks for different science departments.

The college has some famous alumni, among them chief minister Nitish Kumar, former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP C.P. Thakur.

The bureaucrats who studied here include chief secretary Ashok Kumar Sinha, education department principal secretary Amarjeet Sinha and director-general of police (Abhayanand among others.