Bhubaneswar: Continuing its long-standing tradition of academic excellence, Vidya Bharati-affiliated Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandirs in Odisha have once again delivered an outstanding performance in the Odisha Board of Secondary Education (BSE) Class 10 examinations. The schools, operating under Shiksha Vikas Samiti Odisha, achieved an impressive overall pass percentage of 99.97 per cent in the 2026 matriculation examinations, with two students jointly securing the top rank in the state.
The remarkable achievement has further strengthened the reputation of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandirs as one of Odisha’s leading educational networks, combining academic excellence with value-based education and holistic student development.
According to Dr. Kishore Mohanty, President of Shiksha Vikas Samiti Odisha, a total of 15,214 students from 322 Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandirs appeared for the Class 10 board examinations this year. Out of them, 15,209 students successfully passed, resulting in an extraordinary success rate of 99.97 percent.
Among the 322 schools, as many as 317 institutions achieved a 100 percent pass result, reflecting the consistency and quality of academic preparation across the network. Notably, 15 schools recorded a distinction where every student scored more than 60 percent marks.
The highlight of this year’s results was the exceptional performance of two students who jointly topped the state examination. Partha Sarathi Mahanta of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, and Ashutosh Nayak of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, Soro in Balasore district, each secured 588 marks out of 600, earning them the top rank in Odisha.
Dr. Mohanty stated that the overall performance of Vidya Bharati schools was significantly above the state average. He informed that out of nearly 2,400 students across Odisha who secured A1 grade by scoring above 90 percent marks, 779 students belonged to Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandirs.
The grading distribution further highlighted the academic strength of the institutions. A total of 2,586 students secured A2 grades, while 3,674 students achieved B1 grades. Another 3,878 students passed with B2 grades, and 2,865 students secured C grades.
Officials of Shiksha Vikas Samiti attributed the sustained success to the unique educational model followed in Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandirs, which focuses equally on academics, character building, discipline, cultural education, and personality development.
State Secretary of Shiksha Vikas Samiti Odisha, Saroj Hati, said that students of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandirs have consistently delivered excellent performances in the Class 10 board examinations for over two decades. He emphasized that the schools prioritize not only academic achievement but also the development of responsible and value-oriented citizens rooted in Indian culture and traditions.
He explained that from the very first grade, students are guided in ways that help them excel academically while simultaneously developing strong moral values and leadership qualities. According to him, the schools have long adopted a holistic educational framework that aligns closely with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
“While the Panchakosha-based educational approach under the National Education Policy has recently been introduced in Odisha, Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandirs have been implementing this model since 1977,” Hati said.
The Panchakosha model emphasizes the integrated development of students through physical, intellectual, emotional, moral, and spiritual education. School authorities believe this approach has played a crucial role in producing academically successful as well as socially responsible individuals.
Hati further noted that the institutions focus on the all-round development of students rather than limiting education to textbooks and examination-oriented learning. Various co-curricular and extracurricular activities are conducted regularly from the school level to cluster, district, and state levels.
These activities include science fairs, mathematics fairs, cultural festivals, sports competitions, and leadership programs aimed at nurturing creativity, analytical thinking, teamwork, and confidence among students from an early age.
Prant Examination Coordinator of Shiksha Vikas Samiti Odisha, Manoj Kumar Dash, highlighted the special emphasis placed on mathematics and science education within the Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir system.
He said the committee undertakes targeted initiatives to cultivate scientific temperament and mathematical thinking among students. One of the unique aspects of the curriculum is the teaching of Vedic Mathematics in all Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandirs across Odisha. This initiative is intended to connect students with India’s ancient knowledge systems while improving their numerical abilities and problem-solving skills.
Dash also informed that the organization conducts the “Shri Bharati Krishna Mathematics Talent Examination” every year for students of Classes III, V, VII, and IX. Students participate in the examination in a ratio of 10:1, and those who perform exceptionally well are awarded scholarships and academic incentives.
Another major initiative contributing to the outstanding results is the “Medhavi Margdarshan” residential camp organized before the board examinations. The three-day state-level camp is designed specifically for students who score above 90 percent marks in the half-yearly examinations.
The camp brings together meritorious students from across Odisha and provides them with guidance from subject experts, experienced teachers, and academic mentors. During the sessions, students are trained in answer-writing techniques, time management, examination strategy, and stress management while also receiving solutions to their academic doubts.
Educational experts from different fields interact with the students during the camp, helping them build confidence and sharpen their examination skills.
Dr Mohanty reiterated that the primary objective of Vidya Bharati and Shiksha Vikas Samiti is not merely to produce high scorers in examinations, but to shape students into morally upright, socially sensitive, disciplined, and culturally rooted citizens.
“Our goal is to provide quality education integrated with moral values and Indian ethos. Academic success is important, but developing responsible and character-driven individuals remains our core mission,” he said.
The outstanding results of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandirs in the 2026 Odisha Class 10 board examinations once again underline the growing impact of value-based education models that blend academic excellence with cultural and ethical learning.
