Aizawl: Mizoram, the third highest literate state in the country after Kerala and Lakshadweep, set a new record on Thursday by registering 76.65 pass percentage in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination, 2018, the highest since the first board examination was conducted by the Mizoram Board School Education (MBSE) in 1978.
Results of the HSLC examination, held in February and March, were declared on Thursday. Of the 18,335 candidates on roll, 17,695 appeared and 13,563 candidates, including 7,085 girls, have cleared the examination.
"This is the highest pass percentage achieved by the state in 40 years since the HSLC examination was conducted by the MBSE in 1978," board chairman F. Lianhmingthanga said, adding that the overall percentage is expected to increase up to 77 after compartmental examination.
According to the chairman, 72.27 pass percentage was achieved in 2012, the second highest pass percentage achieved by the board. Lianhmingthanga, however, regretted that the number of students, who passed with distinction, has dropped by 50 from last year.
The HSLC examination were held in 122 centres across the state and of 17,695 candidates, 3,787, including 2,016 girls, could not clear the exam and 345 candidates got compartmental. There were 13,392 regular candidates, including 7,003 girls and 321 private candidates, of whom 171 passed.
This time, boys performed better than girls by securing 76.92 overall pass percentage against the girls' 76.40.
Lalremsiama Darchhun of St Paul's Higher Secondary School, and Royal Philem of Mount Carmel School topped the merit list by securing 477 out of 500 marks each and both scored letter marks in all five subjects.
"I was shocked but overjoyed when I first learnt from a friend that I topped the merit list. I just could not believe it. Thanks to God and my family for their blessings and support," Darchhun, 16, a resident of Tanhril village near Aizawl, said. Darchhun, who lives with his mother and three other siblings after his father's death in December last year, said he will study science and pursue a career in nuclear engineering.
The topper said he used to study 6-12 hours a day to prepare for the exam.
The MBSE announced that compartmental examination for all subjects will be held on June 21 in eight centres across the state.
