Patna,(BiharTimes): Nineteen out of 20 top positions in the Intermediate of Arts exam of Bihar School Examination Board have been bagged by girls this year. The result was announced on Wednesday evening.

Rima Kumari of R N Sahu Sarvodaya College, Rohtas emerged as the state topper scoring 402 out of 450 marks. Neelam Kumari of MRDIM College Begusarai and Puja Kumari of TYKS College, Sitamarhi, secured the second and third positions scoring 398 and 396 marks respectively.

The number of girls appearing in the exam was 17 per cent higher than the boys. However, the overall pass percentage of Arts students saw a decline this year. It was 86.18 per cent this year against 90.96 per cent last year.

Rima incidentally was the student of far-flung affiliated college of Rohtas.