The Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) on Tuesday declared the results of the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Examination 2026, recording an overall pass percentage of 86.84 per cent, with determination, discipline and an unyielding spirit of hard work shining through the achievements of students across the State. Believing in a single motto in life, “There is no shortcut to success and there is no substitute to hard work. He who sweats more in training, bleeds less in War,” the MBoSE SSLC topper Wangaal Lama secured the first position with 585 marks and remains determined to stay grounded.
Celebrations resonated across Shillong, particularly at Gorkha Pathshala Higher Secondary School, which marked a historic milestone by producing the State topper, reflecting a collective triumph of students and faculty shaped by years of consistent effort. Drawing strength from past inspiration, Wangaal said, “There is no shortcut to success and there is no substitute to hard work. He who sweats more in training, bleeds less in War.”
Reflecting on his background, he added, “I come from a humble background and I am very proud to say My father works in archirary counter and my mother is a house wife and being from humble background will help to remain grounded in future because I have seen various phases of life. I happy that I could make my parents happy.”
Speaking about his ambitions, he noted, “My foremost goal was to secure top position. I haven’t decide what I want to pursue, I couldn’t pinpoint what I want to do, all options seems very narrow to me and I am sure that I will find my very purpose in life.”
At Gorkha Pathshala, the achievement was echoed by peers who also secured positions in the merit list, underscoring the institution’s academic rigour. Aaditya Thapa, who secured the seventh position with 569 marks, said, “I never thought I will get into the merrit list because I studied hard for examination. I dedicated more time to SST. I have given 100 percent effort to achieve this, but due to family problems I never got shedule life as I had to take care of my younger sibling, that’s why I didn’t get much time but nevertheless I gave my full effort in my studies. I have one sibling of my own and have to take care of my cousin as well. We stay with our Maternal family because my parents were separated. My mother works in an archery counter. I want to be a Chartered Accountant, if not will pursue career in movie making.”
Sharat Chettri, who secured the eighth position with 568 marks, reflected a blend of analytical ability and creative ambition, stating, “I have a passion for cooking, and I think I might have a future in it. My favourite subject is Mathematics and I am a logical person so I feel I should pursue science. I want to pursue my career as a chef. I am very proud to say my father drives a car and my mother runs a shop. I am very proud.”
A total of 48,623 candidates appeared for the examination, of whom 42,228 cleared it, including those passing in six as well as five subjects. Among regular candidates, the pass percentage stood at 93.30 per cent for Regular-1 and 80.72 per cent for Regular-2, while non-regular and private candidates recorded comparatively lower success rates. Boys marginally outperformed girls with a pass percentage of 94.14 per cent against 92.88 per cent.
In the merit list, Vishal Kumar of Embee Rosebud Higher Secondary School, Tura, secured the second position with 576 marks, while the third position was jointly held by Prajukta Roy of Seven Set Higher Secondary School, Shillong, and Prinita Das of Pechon A Sangma Memorial Police Public Secondary School, Tura, both scoring 575 marks. The fourth position witnessed a three-way tie with Samdi Mukhim of St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong, Nathanael Mantre Laloo of Seven Set Higher Secondary School, Shillong, and Wandarihun Lyngkhoi of Anderson Higher Secondary School, Nongstoin, each securing 572 marks. Jenita Pator of Sawlyngdoh Higher Secondary School, Mowkaiaw, secured the fifth position with 571 marks.
Other students featured prominently in the top 10 include Mehek Islam with 570 marks secured 6th position; Nausheen Islam Choudhury, Ishant Bhatt and Aaditya Thapa with 569 marks secured 7th position; Kevin B Pale, Abiela Nongsiej, Sharat Chettri, Binit Rai, Lasarapynbiang Nongbri and Weimaya Nongtdu Lakiang with 568 marks secured 8th position; Ronit Biswas and Dodavah Eliana S Nongrum with 566 marks secured 9th position; and Trishakshi Das, Lakmenika Chullet and Emalton D Marak with 565 marks secured 10th position.
District-wise performance highlighted regional contrasts, with West Jaintia Hills leading at 94.99 per cent, followed by South West Khasi Hills at 94.60 per cent and East Khasi Hills at 94.17 per cent, which also recorded the highest number of successful candidates. West Khasi Hills 92.95, R8 Bhoi 88.04, East Jaintia Hills 92.85, Eastern West Khasi Hills 93.32. In contrast, West Garo Hills 77.75, South Garo Hills 88.48, East Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills reported lower pass percentages of 72.33 per cent, 72.70 per cent and 74.54 per cent respectively, indicating persistent disparities in educational outcomes.
The board also released the merit list of the top 20 candidates and subject toppers, awarding star marks to students securing 75 per cent and above in aggregate, and letter marks to those scoring 80 per cent or more in individual subjects, reinforcing a culture of academic excellence and recognition.
