Education behind bars: Surat jail inmates crack Gujarat Class 12 board exams

Eleven inmates lodged at Lajpore Central Jail in Surat have passed the Class 12 board examination with a 100% success rate, highlighting the role of education in rehabilitation and prison reform.

Officials said the inmates, many of whom are serving sentences in serious criminal cases, completed the examination through sustained academic support and regular study efforts inside the jail premises.

Among the successful candidates are prisoners convicted in cases related to murder, attempted murder, and offenses under the NDPS Act. Jail authorities said the achievement reflects a growing shift toward self-improvement and constructive engagement among inmates.

Education encourages reform inside prison

Rohit Ratiram Yadav, who is serving a life sentence in a murder case, was among those who cleared the examination. Sarfaraz Iqbal Patel, serving a 20-year sentence under the NDPS Act, and Sahil Suresh Patel, imprisoned for attempted murder, also passed the Class 12 exams.

According to prison officials, the inmates prepared for the examinations with discipline and commitment while receiving educational guidance from the jail administration.

Authorities said educational initiatives within the prison are encouraging inmates to move away from criminal behavior and focus on personal growth, responsibility, and future reintegration into society.

Officials added that several inmates have expressed regret for their past actions and are now determined to rebuild their lives through education and skill development.

Interest in higher studies grows

The success of the Class 12 candidates has reportedly motivated other prisoners to pursue academics and vocational training programs available inside the jail.

Jail officials said many inmates are now showing interest in higher education and skill-based learning opportunities, viewing them as a path toward rehabilitation and a more stable future after release.

Authorities described the achievement as an example of how access to education and reform-oriented programs can bring meaningful change even within challenging prison environments.

The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) announced the Gujarat HSC Result 2026 on May 4 at 10 am.

Students who appeared for the Class 12 board examinations can check their results on the official website, gseb.org, using their seat number mentioned on the admit card.

The board has also introduced a WhatsApp facility, allowing students to send their seat number to 6357300971 to receive their results directly.

This year, nearly 1,527,724 students appeared for Gujarat Board Class 10 and Class 12 examinations across 1,701 examination centers in the state.

The Gujarat Board conducted the Class 12 examinations from February 26 to March 18, 2026, in offline mode across 535 centers.

According to official data, out of 435,102 regular candidates who appeared for the examinations, 403,362 passed, taking the overall pass percentage to 97.71%. Last year, the overall pass percentage was 93.07%.

English medium students recorded a pass percentage of 94.46%, while Gujarati medium candidates achieved 92.23%.

Girls outperform boys

Female students performed better than male candidates in the general stream examinations. Girls registered a pass percentage of 95.41%, while boys recorded 90.10%.

To qualify for the examination, students must secure at least 33% marks in each subject along with an overall aggregate of 33%. Candidates are also required to obtain a minimum ‘D’ grade in all subjects.

Students dissatisfied with their scores will be able to apply for rechecking or supplementary examinations after the result declaration process.

Dang emerged as the best-performing district with a pass percentage of 97.88%, followed by Banaskantha at 97.71% and Surendranagar at 96.39%.

Other top-performing districts included Morbi with 96.23%, Kutchh with 96.21%, Botad with 96.18%, Bhavnagar with 95.90%, and Tapi with 95.89%.

The Central Admin divisions of Daman and Div recorded pass percentages of 96.83% and 99.52%, respectively.

Ahmedabad city and Vadodara reported the lowest pass percentages, at 87.10% and 87.77%, respectively.