Patna, June 1: Embarrassed by the quality of its toppers, which was exposed on television, education minister Ashok Choudhary today said such toppers and institutions from which they are graduating from is a black spot on the education system.

The minister said he was ashamed that the students topping this year's intermediate (Class XII) science and arts stream didn't have basic knowledge of their subjects.

The matter came to light yesterday after electronic media showed how the topper of the arts faculty, Rubi Rai, was not even able to spell political science.

The topper spelt the subject "prodigal science". Later, when asked what is "prodigal science" and what is taught in the subject, she said cooking is taught assuming it to be home science.

The topper also said that her intermediate arts examination was of 600 marks. In reality, however, the paper was of 500 marks. The girl has secured 444 out of 500. Saurav Shrestha, state science topper, was also unable to answer basic questions from his subject.

Both toppers are from Vishun Rai College Bhagwanpur, Vaishali, which is run by Rajdeo Rai and Bachha Rai, RJD leaders from Vaishali, who are said to be close to Lalu Prasad.

Choudhary said: "The department has decided to withhold the results of the toppers. A committee has been set up which will look after the answer copies of the toppers and interview the toppers on June 3." There were reports that the Bihar School Examination Board chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh and board secretary Harihar Nath Jha would be removed.

The board, however, did not find any fault in their evaluation (checking of answer sheets) process. Board chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh said: "When the matter came to light, we carried out a re-evaluation of the two toppers' answer sheets. The evaluator has given marks as per the answers given by the students."

Last year, around 222 students from the college were given the same marks in many subjects. In 2014, Baccha Rai's daughter was the state topper in intermediate science (biology). Sources said Vishun Rai College and many other colleges have a nexus with the Bihar School Examination Board officials. The sources also alleged that in connivance with some officials, students are awarded undue marks.

Choudhary admitted a nexus with board officials. He said: "We will carry out a probe and no one, not even senior officials, will be spared."