Students flash the victory sign after the Intermediate commerce results are announced in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Ankita Singh and Shruti Saurav have a similarity. Hailing from middle-class families, both have brought laurels to their institution — College of Commerce, Patna in their Intermediate commerce results.

Ankita, daughter of a private employee, has secured 406 out of 500, while classmate Shruti bagged 387 marks.

An elated Ankita said: “I have seen my father working hard to fulfil our requirements. With an income of around Rs 15,000 per month, it is very difficult for him.”

Ankita owes her success to her parents’ guidance. She aspires to be a chartered accountant (CA). Shruti lives with her grandfather and uncle after the untimely demise of her father in 2010. She said: “My focus is to clear the CA examinations.”

Of the top 20 students in the merit list, 14 are girls.

Bihar School Examination Board chairperson Rajmani Singh and board secretary Lalan Jha released the results. Rajmani said: “This year, the girls performed better than boys, which indicates that girls want to pursue higher studies.”

Rahul Kumar from RLSY College, Bettiah, West Champaran is the only male among nine students who are in the top five.

Preeti Kumari a student of MBD College, Rampura, Darbhanga has got 397. Rishita Kumari a student of Mirza Galib College, Gaya secured 396.

Of 72,510 students, who had appeared in Intermediate commerce examination held in February, 23,932 students have secured first position with percentage of 33.01 per cent.

The total pass percentage is 94.43 per cent, while the boys’ pass percentage is 93.43 per cent. The girls pass percentage stood at 96.57.