Guwahati: Ria Khatoniar of Holy Child School in the city has topped the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) class X examinations from Guwahati region, the results of which were declared on Tuesday.

Ria secured 99 per cent by scoring 495 out of 500. She got A1 in all the subjects, including additional subject. She got 100 in science and mathematics, sources said. She attributed her success to her "teachers, parents and six hours of regular studies to understand instead of memorising". She wants to pursue science and become a space engineer.

All the 144 students from Holy Child School who took the exam secured first division. Altogether 63,098 students from 915 schools had taken the Class X examination conducted by the CBSE in Guwahati region, which covers eight states of the Northeast, including Sikkim.

This year, there was a 3 per cent fall in pass percentage compared to last year - 62.29 per cent against 65.53 per cent in 2017.

The sources said it took some time to "zero in on" the topper since CBSE "discourages" ranking. All-India toppers have scored 499 out of 500, they added.