Sreeniti Mahapatra, the lone topper from a government school in Nagaland 2026 HSLC exam,
Credits discipline, consistency and faith in govt schools
Chizokho Vero
Kohima | April 26
Sreeniti Mahapatra, the lone HSLC 2026 topper from a government school in Nagaland, is planning to take admission in a government school for her higher secondary education.
Mahapatra, from Govt High School (GHS) Yachem in Longleng district, secured a total of 570 marks with 95%. She was placed 19th among 80 rank holders.
“I am planning to take admission in a government school for my higher secondary education,” Mahapatra told The Morung Express, adding that she has great faith in the quality of education provided by government institutions, a belief strengthened by her own journey.
She wants to continue her studies in an environment that values discipline, sincerity, and equal opportunities for students.
“I feel very proud and honoured to represent government schools in the merit list. For the last few years, I noticed that no toppers had come from government schools, and many people often underestimated them. I took that as a challenge and motivation to prove that students from government schools are equally capable of achieving success,” she said.
“This result is not only my achievement, but also a matter of pride for my school, teachers, and all government institutions,” she added.
Ingredients for success
Mahapatra said she expected a good result but did not expect to secure a place in the merit list, making it a pleasant surprise for her as well as her parents, school and classmates, who supported her throughout the journey.
Stating that she studied around five to six hours daily, Mahapatra said, “I focused more on regularity and effective study rather than counting long hours. I believed that studying with full concentration and consistency was more important than studying for many hours without focus.”
Along with self-study, she also revised whatever was taught in school regularly.
Sharing her preparation strategy, she said she did nothing unusual for the board examination, but studied regularly and maintained her routine, adding that consistency and sincerity helped her more than last-minute pressure.
“My father, who is a Mathematics teacher, helped me a lot in Mathematics whenever I faced difficulties. For the rest of the subjects, our school teachers provided us free coaching classes after school hours, which helped me clear my doubts and strengthen my preparation,” she said.
Because of this strong support system, she said she did not feel the need for any private tuition, adding that the constant guidance and support were more than enough.
“I want to become a doctor. I will prepare sincerely and try to appear for the NEET examination in the future,” said Mahapatra on her future plans.
“Along with academics, I also want to become a better person, more disciplined, and more responsible in life. I will always remain grateful to the people of Yachem for their love, support, and encouragement throughout my journey,” she conveyed.
To this end, she planning to take the Science stream in Classes 11 and 12.
‘My favourite subject is Science’
“My biggest inspiration is, first of all, my parents, especially my mother, who worked very hard for me during my examinations and always took care of everything at home so that I could study peacefully. My father is also a great inspiration to me, as he has been serving as a school teacher in this very school (Govt High School Yachem) for the last 25 years,” she said.
His dedication has always motivated me, Mahapatra noted.
She also credited her classmates for their constant support and encouragement, and said her teachers’ guidance, belief in her, and continuous motivation played a major role in her success.
Asked about her favourite subject, she said it is Science, especially Physics.
“I find Physics very interesting because it helps us understand how things work in our daily life and explains many practical situations around us. It develops logical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are useful not only in studies but also in real life. That is why I enjoy learning Physics the most,” Mahapatra elaborated.
Never be afraid of challenges
Mahapatra encouraged fellow students to believe in themselves and never underestimate their potential saying: “Success does not always depend on studying in big institutions or having many facilities; it depends on hard work, discipline, and consistency.”
She advised fellow students to respect their parents and teachers, stay focused on their goals, use their time wisely, and face challenges with sincerity and patience.
Meanwhile, Mahapatra will receive the Governor’s Award in the government school students’ category.
About GHS Yachem
Government High School Yachem was established in 1965 and was later upgraded to a High School in 1995.
As per school sources, while enrolment is not high, the school has quality teachers and a dedicated administration, while the continuous support of the SMDC members, Village Council, community, and Students’ Union has played a vital role in its growth and success.
The school achieved a 100% pass result for the past three consecutive years, reflecting its consistent performance, while in the HSLC 2026 examination, 9 out of 11 candidates qualified.
Apart from academics, the school also encourages co-curricular activities, and its students have represented the institution in various state-level competitions, the sources added.
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