Chhattisgarh 12th Topper from Kirana Family

Jigyasu Verma from Baloda Bazar district clinched the top spot in CGBSE Class 12 results 2026 with 98.60%, while girls dominated the merit list amid an 81.87% pass rate.

The Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) declared Class 12 results late last week, bringing cheers to thousands of students across the state. Jigyasu Verma, a student from Saraswati Shishu Mandir Higher Secondary School in Palari, Baloda Bazar, emerged as the state topper, securing 493 out of 500 marks. Initial reports from board officials confirm the overall pass percentage at 81.87%, up slightly from last year, with girls outperforming boys as usual.

Topper's Humble Roots

Jigyasu, who helps at his father's kirana shop after school hours, said the result came as a pleasant surprise. According to sources close to the family, he balanced studies with daily chores, often using AI tools for quick revisions during exam prep. "Papa's shop keeps us grounded; I studied late evenings there," he reportedly told local reporters who visited the modest home in Palari. The district, known for its rural pockets, now celebrates its second topper in recent years.

Girls Lead Merit List

Out of the top 43 in the merit list, 33 are girls, highlighting a trend of female excellence in CGBSE exams. Second spot went to Omni from Bemetara with 98.20%, followed by Krish Mahant from Raipur at 97.80%. Commerce stream saw strong showings too, including Raipur's Manasi Tandon from Mandir Hasoud, who bagged 96.40% despite family hardships—her mother works as a sanitation worker earning Rs 9,000 monthly. Local authorities confirmed Manasi's entry in the top-10 commerce list.

Paper Leak Challenges

Exams faced hiccups earlier this year with a Hindi paper leak, causing anxiety among students like Manasi. "We feared re-exams, but focused on preparation," she shared, crediting school teachers and online resources. Board officials noted over 2.38 lakh students appeared, with 1.37 lakh girls—pass rates reflected resilience amid such disruptions. Jigyasu mentioned similar nerves but pushed through with disciplined routines.

Family Struggles, Big Dreams

For Manasi, the achievement is bittersweet; her father passed away three years ago, leaving her mother Nandini to raise five daughters on a meagre salary. "I want her to become a banker, stand on her own feet," Nandini told reporters at their simple home, where celebrations were low-key amid cooking duties. Jigyasu eyes higher studies too, inspired by his father's grit at the kirana store. Both stories underscore how economic challenges don't dim ambition in Chhattisgarh's heartland.

Board Stats Snapshot

Path Ahead

With results out, counselling for higher education kicks off soon. Officials urge toppers like Jigyasu and Manasi to aim for professional courses. Families in Palari and Mandir Hasoud see this as a beacon for other underprivileged kids. As one teacher put it, "These stories motivate the next batch."

Chhattisgarh Board Results 2026 see girls outperform boys in both 10th and 12th, with strong representation in top ranks across districts

Girls have once again outperformed boys in the Chhattisgarh Board Results 2026, securing a dominant presence in both Class 10 and Class 12 merit lists, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The results, declared by the Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education, show a clear trend of higher pass percentages and stronger merit representation among female students, continuing a pattern seen in recent years.

Strong overall pass rate

In the Class 12 examinations, 83.04% of students cleared the board. Out of nearly 2.44 lakh candidates who appeared, around 2.02 lakh passed.

Officials noted that girls recorded a pass percentage of 86.04%, significantly higher than boys at 78.86%.

Class 10 results were comparatively lower, with 77.15% of students passing. Around 3.21 lakh candidates had appeared for the examination.

Merit list sees girls ahead

The merit lists further underline the trend. In Class 12, a total of 43 students feature in the top 10 ranks, out of which 33 are girls.

Similarly, in Class 10, 42 students made it to the merit list, including 26 girls.

Education department officials said the consistent performance reflects improving access to education and focused academic support for girls across districts.

Toppers and key performers

In Class 12, Jigyasu Verma from Baloda Bazar district secured the top rank with 98.60%. A student of Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Palari, he comes from a modest background, with his father running a grocery shop.

Omni Verma from Bemetara district secured the second position with 98.20%, while Krish Mahant from Raigarh stood third with 97.80%.

In Class 10, the top position was shared by Sandhya Nayak and Parirani Pradhan from Mahasamund district, both scoring 99%. Anshul Sharma from Mungeli secured the third position with the same percentage.

Aspirations beyond results

Many toppers have already set clear career goals. Sandhya Nayak, who comes from a farming family, said she aims to become a deputy collector.

Parirani Pradhan expressed her desire to pursue medicine and serve people, while Anshul Sharma indicated plans to take up Mathematics in Class 11 and prepare for engineering entrance exams.

Jigyasu Verma, the Class 12 topper, said he intends to become an engineer.

Role of digital learning

Some students also highlighted the role of online platforms in their preparation. Himshikha Gupta, who secured eighth rank in Class 12, said she supplemented her school studies with YouTube and AI-based tools for better understanding of concepts.

Teachers say such blended learning methods are becoming increasingly common, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas.

Government incentive announced

The state government has announced a cash reward of ₹1.5 lakh for board toppers. According to officials, the move is aimed at encouraging academic excellence and motivating students across the state.

Education department sources said the incentive scheme will continue, given its positive impact on student performance in recent years.

Changing academic landscape

The continued dominance of girls in the Chhattisgarh Board Results 2026 reflects a gradual shift in the state’s academic landscape. Increased enrolment, better school infrastructure, and targeted schemes for girls’ education are seen as contributing factors.

Officials believe that the trend is likely to strengthen further in the coming years, with more focused interventions planned at the school level.