Small towns' big push: Sitapur's Shikha Verma and Kashish Verma top UP boards

Students from smaller districts in Uttar Pradesh have dominated the top five ranks in Class X and Class XII examinations. In Class X, a girl from Barabanki stood second with 97.5% marks, while in Class XII, two students from Bareilly and Barabanki shared the second rank with 97.2% marks. The UP Board secretary attributed the smooth and transparent conduct of examinations to technological and administrative reforms, including digital attendance and enhanced security measures.