Two daughters of farmers from Sitapur district in Uttar Pradesh have emerged as state toppers in the 2026 Uttar Pradesh Board examinations, capturing attention across the country with their remarkable academic achievements.
Kashish Verma secured the joint top rank in the High School (Class 10) examination with 97.83 per cent marks, while Shikha Verma topped the Intermediate (Class 12) examination with 97.60 per cent. Both students studied at Baburam Savitri Devi Inter College in the Mahmoodabad area of Sitapur and come from modest farming families.
The results were announced by the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) on April 23, with millions of students across the state awaiting the outcome of one of India’s largest school board examinations.
According to board officials, the exams were conducted in a “fair, transparent and malpractice-free manner,” while the results once again highlighted the growing academic achievements of students from smaller towns and rural communities.
From Rural Roots to Statewide Recognition
What makes the achievement of Kashish and Shikha Verma especially inspiring is the journey behind their success. Both students studied at the same rural school in Sitapur and belong to families that depend on agriculture for their livelihood.
Despite limited resources and infrastructural challenges common in rural areas, the two students managed to outperform lakhs of candidates across the state. Kashish Verma shared the top position in the Class 10 merit list with Anshika Verma from Barabanki, both scoring 97.83 per cent, while Shikha Verma secured the sole first rank in the Class 12 examination with 97.60 per cent.
Their preparation journey reflects the everyday realities faced by many students in rural India. Reports suggest that Kashish often had to study during power cuts, sometimes relying on torchlight or candles when electricity failed. Yet these obstacles did not deter her from maintaining a disciplined study routine.
Similarly, Shikha credited her teachers and parents for supporting her preparation, noting that she followed a consistent daily schedule and focused on understanding concepts rather than memorisation.
She has reportedly expressed aspirations of preparing for competitive examinations in the future, including pursuing a government service career. Together, their success story underscores the determination and resilience of young learners who continue to pursue academic excellence despite limited means.
UP Board 2026: Performance Snapshot
The 2026 UP Board results also provide insights into broader academic trends in the state’s education system. According to official data released by the board, the overall pass percentage for the Class 12 Intermediate examination stood at around 80.38 per cent, reflecting stable performance compared with recent years.
Meanwhile, the Class 10 High School examination recorded a strong overall pass percentage of around 90.42 per cent. One notable trend that continues to emerge is the strong performance of female students. Girls once again outperformed boys in both examinations and dominated the top ranks on the merit list.
In the Class 10 exam, girls achieved a pass percentage of about 93.76 per cent, compared with 87.30 per cent among boys. In the Class 12 exam, girls recorded a pass percentage of around 86.32 per cent, while the pass percentage for boys stood at about 75.04 per cent.
Education experts say these numbers reflect a gradual shift in educational outcomes across Uttar Pradesh, where increasing numbers of girls from rural and semi-urban backgrounds are excelling academically. The toppers list itself reflects this trend, with several high scorers emerging from districts such as Sitapur, Barabanki and Bareilly.
These results highlight the expanding reach of schooling and academic opportunity beyond large urban centres. For lakhs of students who appeared for the examination, the results also represent a crucial milestone that will shape their academic and professional pathways, from higher education admissions to competitive examinations.
Students can access their results through the official websites of the board, including upmsp.edu.in and upresults.nic.in, by entering their roll number and other required details. The declaration of results marks the culmination of months of preparation for students and teachers alike, while also signalling the start of the next phase in their educational journeys.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The achievements of Kashish Verma and Shikha Verma are more than just a headline about examination results. They represent a powerful reminder that talent, ambition and perseverance exist in every corner of the country, far beyond the boundaries of metropolitan cities or elite institutions. When daughters of farmers from a rural school top one of India’s largest state board examinations, it challenges long-held assumptions about opportunity and privilege in education.
Their story also highlights the quiet strength of families and communities that continue to prioritise education despite economic hardships. Parents who depend on farming incomes, teachers working in small schools, and students studying under difficult circumstances together form the backbone of countless success stories like this one. At a time when conversations around education often focus on competition, coaching centres and urban advantages, achievements like these remind us of the transformative power of determination, support systems and accessible education.
