Nagaland govt schools remain competitive with private peers in HSSLC

Moa Jamir
Dimapur  | May 3

Unlike the HSLC, government higher secondary schools (GHSS) in Nagaland continue to compete on nearly equal footing with private institutions, a comparative analysis of the annual examination results conducted by the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) shows.

In 2026, GHSS not only led in overall pass percentage in one stream but also produced more institutions with perfect results than private schools in two streams.

In 2026, the government, private and overall pass percentages in the Arts stream stood at 82.04%, 90.13% and 85.78% respectively.

In the Science stream too, private institutions held a slight edge at 87.36% against 84.93% for government schools, while the overall pass percentage stood at 87.36%. The gap was just 2.43 percentage points.

However, in the Commerce stream, government schools recorded a pass percentage of 88.97%, significantly higher than the 81.87% achieved by private institutions, a lead of over seven percentage points. The overall average stood at 85.46%.

This competitiveness stands in sharp contrast to the High School Leaving Certificate examinations, where the gap between government and private schools remains substantial. In 2026, government schools at the HSLC level recorded only 43.26%, compared to 86.13% for private institutions, a difference of nearly 43 percentage points.

More GHSS record perfect scores in two streams
Meanwhile, 2026 also saw standout institutional performances, with two GHSS achieving perfect results.

GHSS Jotsoma, with 15 candidates, and PM Shri GHSS Thangjam, with 25 candidates, achieved the feat.

In comparison, among private schools, only Loyola HSS Jakhama managed the same, with 20 students.

More notably, government schools outnumbered private institutions in recording perfect results in the Commerce stream. Three government schools—TM GHSS Kohima (9 candidates), GHSS Pfütsero (14 candidates), and GHSS Wokha (7 candidates)—registered 100% pass records.

Among private schools, Mezhür HSS Kohima (79 candidates) and Mount Saramati HSS, Unity Village (17 candidates), secured the feat.

However, private institutions maintained a significant edge in the Arts stream, recording a pass percentage of 90.13% compared to 82.04% for government schools, a difference of 8.09 percentage points.

Besides, 17 private schools recorded 100% results against just two GHSS.

GHSS Jotsoma maintained its all-round performance, with all 57 candidates clearing the Arts stream, while GHSS Satakha joined the list with 12 candidates.

Beyond overall pass percentages, GHSS also made their presence felt in the 2026 HSSLC merit lists, with Pooja Bharti of PM Shri GHSS Chümoukedima securing 7th position in the Arts stream, while Moaakum T. Longkumer of PM Shri Mayangnokcha GHSS, Mokokchung, secured 10th position in the Science stream.

Private institutions still hold edge
Despite the competitive performances by GHSS, private schools continued to significantly outperform government institutions overall.

For instance, apart from leading in overall pass percentages and recording a higher number of institutions with perfect results, there were 13 toppers from private schools in the Arts stream against one from GHSS.

Likewise, in the Science stream, there were 16 toppers from private institutions against one from GHSS.

In the Commerce stream, all toppers were from private institutions.

Source: Results Gazette, Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination, 2026