Ranchi: Sanjit Mahto, an 18-year-old who works as cook here, has topped the Class 12 examination (arts stream) conducted by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC).

Mahto scored 379 out of 500 in the exam, the result of which was declared on Tuesday. He shared the top spot with Faujia Maram of Dhanbad district.

In all, 81.12 percent of the candidates passed the arts stream exam.

Mahto, a resident of Murmuma village of West Bengal's Purulia district, arrived here two years ago and took admission in R.N.T. College.

His elder brother, who is employed in a sweet shop, was unable to meet his expenses. So, the teenager started working as cook in a shop that supplies lunch and dinner to students who stays in hostels.

Mahto said he works two shifts - from 5 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. After returning home, he would study till 2 a.m.

"I cannot express my happiness in words. I want to become a teacher to help other poor students to study," he said, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Many poor students are among those who have secured the top 10 positions in the examination.

Neelam Kerkettka, who secured the third position, lives on the outskirts of Ranchi. She used to cycle 10 km everyday to attend school while her mother would earn a living by selling fruits at railway stations.

Salma Khatoon, the daughter of a driver, was fourth on the list. In fifth place was Ranju Kumar, whose mother sells a local brew called hadia. IANS