Three girls. Three perfect scores. One powerful message. As the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) unveiled the Class X results for 2024 on Friday, it was a moment etched in brilliance — not just for the 100 percent scorers, but for what the numbers said loud and clear — girls are leading Punjabs academic march with confidence and consistency.   From clinching all three top positions with an impeccable 650 out of 650, to dominating the merit list and outperforming boys in pass percentages across the Board, this years results have turned into a resounding celebration of girl power in Punjabs classrooms.   This years results show an overall pass percentage of 95.61 percent, but the real story lies in the outstanding performance by girls. With a pass percentage of 96.85 percent, girls have outperformed boys (94.40 percent) by a significant margin of 2.45 percent, echoing the continuing trend of academic excellence among female students in Punjab.   Despite the celebratory headlines, this years overall pass percentage of 95.61percent reflected a gradual decline since the post-COVID years. In 2021, the Board recorded an all-time high of 99.93 percent, largely attributed to alternative assessment methods due to pandemic disruptions. That figure dipped to 97.94 percent in 2022, 97.54 percent in 2023, 97.24 percent in 2024, and now 95.61 percent — indicating a continued return to traditional, more rigorous evaluation methods.   Triple Crown for Punjabs Daughters   The top three spots were all clinched by girls from different parts of the state — Aksnoor Kaur of Sant Mohan Das Memorial Senior Secondary School, Kot Sukhia (Faridkot) was declared the first rank holder, followed by Ratinderdeep Kaur of Baba Farid Public School, Chhattiana (Sri Muktsar Sahib); and Arshdeep Kaur of Ram Sarup Memorial Sr. Sec. School, Chaunda (Malerkotla). All three girls scored 650/650 marks, but were ranked based on date of birth as per PSEB guidelines, said the PSEB chairman Dr Amarpal Singh.   But the celebration of girl power doesnt end with the toppers. A look at the top 300 merit list revealed that an overwhelming 256 students (85 percent) are girls, with boys accounting for just 44 positions. This landslide dominance on the merit list is a testament to the growing academic confidence and capabilities of girls in Punjabs schools.   Performance Across Schools   A total of 2,77,746 regular students appeared for the Class X examination this year. Of these, 2,65,548 students passed, while 782 failed and 11,391 were placed in the compartment category. Among them, students from private schools recorded the highest pass percentage at 96.96 percent, with 71,412 out of 73,649 candidates clearing the exams. Government school students werent far behind, with 1,76,605 of 1,84,984 passing — marking a success rate of 95.47 percent. Aided schools, however, trailed slightly with a pass rate of 91.72 percent (17,531 out of 19,113).   Rural Students Outperform Urban Peers The urban-rural divide in this years results also added another layer to the story. While urban students recorded a pass percentage of 94.71 percent (92,368 out of 97,524), rural students surpassed them with 96.09 percent (1,73,180 out of 1,80,222) — and once again, girls in rural areas were key contributors to this success. The educational surge in rural Punjab, particularly among girls, underscored the effectiveness of outreach programs, awareness, and improved school infrastructure in less privileged areas.   Amritsar Tops Among Districts, Ludhiana Worst   Among districts, Amritsar emerged as the top performer with a 98.54 percent pass rate, followed by Gurdaspur (98.22 percent), Tarn Taran (98.08 percent), and Pathankot (98.02 percent). These districts are known for strong school systems and have seen girls regularly outperforming boys in board exams. On the flip side, Ludhiana fared the lowest at 91.62 percent, with other underperforming districts including Bathinda (93.17 percent), Sangrur (93.67 percent), Barnala (93.78 percent), and Fazilka (94.05 percent).   The subject-wise performance also reflected the same trend of academic excellence — Punjab History and Culture had a 100 percent pass rate, followed by Sanskrit (99.95 percent), Health and Physical Education (99.76 percent), Hindi (99.54 percent), and Social Studies (99.38 percent).   While 25 students results have been withheld, the Board will resolve those cases administratively. Meanwhile, more than 11,000 students in the compartment category will get another shot at passing.   This years results not only uphold the states legacy of producing high-achieving girls but also offer a sharp counter-narrative to traditional gender biases in education. This wave of girl-led academic excellence aligns with the Punjab governments renewed focus on education — particularly the empowerment of the girl child through scholarship schemes, better school facilities, and initiatives like Padho Punjab. The data this year is a compelling indicator that these efforts are bearing fruit.     PSEB Class X Results: At a Glance ·         All three toppers are girls with a perfect 100% score (650/650). ·         Overall pass percentage stands at 95.61%. ·         Girls dominate merit list: 256 of 300 top rankers are girls. ·         Rural students outperform urban counterparts. ·         Private schools record highest pass percentage. ·         Girls again outshine boys in overall pass rate. ·         Amritsar district records highest pass percentage (98.54%), Ludhiana lowest (91.62%) ·         Among subjects, Punjab History and Culture had a 100% pass rate

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