The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBoSE) on Monday declared the Class 12 (10+2) examination results, reporting a sharp rise in overall performance with the pass percentage climbing to an impressive 92.02%.
According to official data, 81,109 students appeared for the examinations held in March, out of which 74,637 cleared the test. Meanwhile, 3,352 students failed, and 3,071 were placed in the compartment category. A total of 308 students remained absent, while 37 results have been withheld.
Board Chairman Rajesh Sharma attributed the improved performance to sustained academic reforms. “The results demonstrate improved academic performance and better outcomes across districts. The rise in pass percentage is due to consistent academic monitoring, improved teaching standards, and student-focused initiatives,” he said.
The results mark a steady upward trend over the past three years. The pass percentage stood at 79.6% in 2023, dipped to 74.5% in 2024, rose again to 83.16% in 2025, and has now crossed the 90% mark in 2026—indicating a significant academic recovery.
However, alongside this success lies a concerning trend: a steady decline in the number of students appearing for the examination. From over 1.05 lakh candidates in 2023, the figure dropped to 85,776 in 2024, slightly rose to 86,373 in 2025, and has now fallen further to 81,109 in 2026. The dip raises questions about enrolment patterns, migration, and potential dropouts in the state’s education system.
Government schools continued to dominate participation, with 64,473 students appearing from public institutions compared to 16,636 from private schools, highlighting the continued reliance on the public education system.
Among toppers, Anshit Kumar from PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School, Bhawarna in Kangra district secured the first rank with 496 marks (99.2%). The second position was jointly held by Shayla Kashyap of The New Era School of Sciences, Chhatri (Kangra), and Arushi from Government Senior Secondary School, Kanger Dharayar (Sirmaur), both scoring 495 marks (99%). Shamya Barjatya from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Dari (Kangra) secured the third position with 494 marks (98.8%).
Stream-wise, Shayla Kashyap topped the Science stream, while Yashvani Chauhan and Krishika from Una district jointly led the Commerce stream with 491 marks (98.2%). In the Arts stream, Anshit Kumar emerged as the top performer.
While the results reflect academic improvement and highlight student achievements across streams, the declining number of candidates adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. As Himachal Pradesh celebrates higher success rates, the focus may now need to shift towards understanding why fewer students are reaching the final examination stage—and ensuring that progress in performance does not come at the cost of participation.
