Patna: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) honoured 151 toppers from the Class 10 and 12 examinations at an event marking Medha Diwas in Patna on Wednesday. The ceremony, held at Gyan Bhawan, coincided with the birth anniversary of India’s first president, Dr Rajendra Prasad.
Education minister Sunil Kumar was the chief guest, joined by additional chief secretary Dr B Rajendra, and BSEB chairperson and principal secretary Anand Kishore. Certificates, medals, laptops and increased cash prizes were presented to students who secured top ranks in the 2025 board results.
Speaking at the event, Dr Rajendra said significant progress was being made in Bihar’s education sector under the leadership of chief minister Nitish Kumar. “There are 600,000 teachers and more than 20 million students. With a budget of Rs 72,000 crore, education and health are priorities. If these improve, the state will progress,” he said, adding that teacher shortages had been largely resolved.
Sunil Kumar congratulated the students and praised reforms introduced in recent years. “Bihar’s education system once had many shortcomings, but that is no longer the case. The Bihar Board is now the first in the country to release exam results,” he said. He emphasised the expansion of government schemes such as the bicycle and nutrition programmes, noting that the education budget had grown from Rs 4,000 crore in 2005 to over Rs 70,000 crore today.
Kumar urged students to focus more on books than on “Google Baba”, warning that traditional study habits were diminishing. “We cannot progress by relying only on Google,” he said, stressing the role of teachers in delivering value-based education.
Increased prize money and scholarships
Among the 151 students honoured were 123 Matriculation toppers who achieved top 10 positions statewide, and 28 Intermediate toppers from the Science, Arts and Commerce streams. First-rank holders in both examinations will receive Rs 2 lakh, second place Rs 1.5 lakh, and third place Rs 1 lakh. Those ranking from fourth to tenth will receive between Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000.
Scholarship amounts have also been increased under the Merit Scholarship Scheme launched in 2017. The top five Intermediate students will receive Rs 2,500 per month for three years of undergraduate study, while the top 10 Matriculation students will receive Rs 2,000 per month during Classes 11 and 12.
Officials recognised for exam management
District magistrates and district education officers from 10 districts were also honoured for efficient conduct of board examinations. Kishore said the initiative aimed to boost academic motivation and recognise both student performance and institutional support.
“Bihar Board is now at the forefront of high-tech and quality education. Many new technologies and reforms have been introduced, and the board is consistently first in releasing results,” he said. “This programme strengthens the culture of academic excellence in the state.”
