The schools in the Mumbai division on Thursday got cheerful news amid the pandemic, as the Maharashtra State Board announced the much-awaited Higher Secondary Certificate result. The division, where the pass percentage dropped to 83.85 per cent in 2019 from 87.44 per cent the previous year, saw a major jump this year with 89.39 per cent.

Junior colleges in the city appreciated the state board's decision to change the pattern by adding more multiple choice questions and options in the papers. "This really helps our state board students to compete at par with non-state board students where there are policies, like best of five," said Dr Hemlata Bagla, principal of K C College, which recorded a 100 per cent pass percentage, with 89 students scoring above 90 per cent.