15-year-old breaks 78-year barrier, becomes first to pass class 10 in UP village

In a small village called Nizampur in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district, 15-year-old Ramkeval has made history. He is the first student from his village to pass the Class 10 board exams since India’s independence.

Nizampur is a remote hamlet with about 300 people, mostly from the Dalit community. No one there had ever passed Class 10, until now.

Ramkeval is the eldest of four children. To help his poor family, he did small jobs during the day, like carrying lights in wedding processions. He earned around Rs 250 to Rs 300 each day. Even after returning home late, he studied for two hours every night under a solar lamp.


“Some villagers mocked me and said I would never pass,” Ramkeval said. “But I always believed I would prove them wrong.”

He studied at the Government Inter College in Ahmedpur, close to Nizampur.

Family's struggles, mother's pride

His mother, Pushpa, works as a cook at the village primary school. She studied till Class 5 but wants her children to go much further. “I’m so proud of my son,” she said.

Ramkeval’s father, Jagdish, is a daily wage labourer. “I couldn’t study, but I encouraged my son. Even after working, he would always come home and study,” he shared.

Recognition and support

On Sunday, District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi honoured Ramkeval and his parents for this inspiring achievement. He promised full help in continuing Ramkeval’s education.

The District Inspector of Schools, O P Tripathi, also praised him, saying, “He is a role model for other students. We will fully support his dreams.”

A dream to become an engineer

Ramkeval dreams of becoming an engineer but says he still finds it hard to believe he passed Class 10. “It will take time to feel it’s real,” he said.

His success has inspired others in the village. Students like Lovelesh and Mukesh, who didn’t pass this year, now want to study harder.

Lovelesh’s father, Nanku, said, “I only studied till Class 8. I don’t want my son to be a labourer. Education is the only way out.”

Even the women in the village feel hopeful. They are now determined to send their children to school and help them study.

Inputs from PTI