Jharkhand for the first time would give laptops and smartphones along with cash prizes to state toppers in the state boards, CBSE and ICSE/ISC board exams. Jharkhand school education and literacy development secretary K. Ravikumar confirmed that this would be the first instance in the over twodecade-old state of state toppers across all boards getting cash prizes.

“Earlier state toppers in Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) conducted examinations used to receive cash prizes. However, a decision has been taken to honour those toppers who have passed out from CBSE, ICSE/ISC boards too. We would also be providing laptops and smartphones to each of the toppers,” said Ravikumar.

Jharkhand education minister Jagarnath Mahato told The Telegraph that Jharkhand would be the pioneer in this region to award laptops and smartphones to state toppers along with cash prizes.

“Till last year toppers of only Jharkhand board received cash prizes. However, after a discussion with chief minister (Hemant Soren) last year we decided to include even state toppers of other boards like CBSE, ICSE and ISC. The chief minister also expressed the desire that toppers should be gifted with gadgets which would help them in pursuit of higher education and after approval of the state cabinet earlier this year we have decided to gift laptops and smartphones to each of the toppers. We are the only state in the eastern region to be giving laptops and smartphones to state toppers in matriculation and intermediate level,” said Mahato.

The maximum cap on pricing of laptops is Rs 60,000 while smartphones Rs 20,000. Sources in the education department revealed that awards, including cash prizes, would be given for 2021-22 session.

“We are awaiting the chief minister’s approval for fixing a date for the award ceremony for the 2021-22 session. In all 68 toppers of both state, CBSE and ICSE/ISC boards have been shortlisted and intimated. We will be intimating about the date and venue of the award function after intimation from the chief minister’s office. We plan to host the function in March itself as it should have been done last year itself,” said a source who is a senior official in the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC).

The source added that later in the year, toppers of all boards for the academic session 2023-24 would also be felicitated. The first topper from each board will get an award of Rs 3 lakh, the second topper will receive Rs 2 lakh, and the third topper will receive Rs 1 lakh.

Each topper will receive the prize money along with a laptop and a smartphone.

The JAC Class 10 or the matric board exam will be held from March 14 to April 3 this year and JAC Class 12 or the intermediate board exam 2023 will be held from March 14 to April 5, 2023.