Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu on Thursday honoured 30 state-level toppers under the state’s Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students Awards.The awardees, from Classes III to XII, were recognised for the 2024-25 academic session. Around 840 students were honoured at district-level events.Instituted in 2022 to mark 50 years since the state was named Arunachal, the awards were first presented for the 2023-24 session. Khandu said the 2025-26 edition would also be held this year.Congratulating the students, their families and teachers, Khandu urged them to remain disciplined, focused and committed to excellence.He said the govt was implementing the National Education Policy 2020 and Mission Shikshit Arunachal, with targets set for 2029. Measures include rationalising schools, strengthening the inter-village school model, improving infrastructure and recruiting subject teachers.Khandu also stressed physical fitness, sports and respect for parents, elders and teachers.The chief minister highlighted careers in govt service, private companies, entrepreneurship and the armed forces. He said the state was working with the Army on specialised coaching for the NDA and CDS examinations.He added that 13-14 students had received state support this year after securing admission to universities among the top 150 in the QS rankings.
