LUCKNOW, June 18 -- A total of 3,04,980 candidates have qualified the U.P BEd JEE-2025, the results of which were declared on Tuesday. Of the 3,44,546 registered candidates, 3,05,332 appeared for the exam held on June 1. There are 605 seats in 7 government colleges, 7,545 seats in 107 aided colleges, and 2.30 lakh seats in 2,221 private BEd colleges across U.P. This year, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, conducted the entrance examination. The counselling dates and fees are yet to be announced. The results were declared at Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University by higher education minister Yogendra Upadhyay and minister of state for higher education Rajni Tiwari. The ministers also interacted virtually with the top 10 rank holders. Suraj Kumar Patel, from Mirzapur district, topped the exam with 362.662 marks out of 400. A science stream student, he expressed his joy at receiving a congratulatory virtual call from the minister. "It was a huge morale booster to get a call from the minister, which we never expected. As I've topped the exam, I've only cleared the first hurdle. I now have to prepare for future challenges," he said. Shiba Parveen, from Bhadohi, secured the second rank. The 20-year-old science stream student shared her long-standing passion for teaching. "I sincerely love teaching and wish to inspire children to learn all they can," she said, adding that she had enrolled in a private school to help her prepare for the exam. Shivangi Yadav, a 21-year-old arts stream student from Jaunpur, secured the third rank. Expressing her happiness, she said, "I plan on pursuing higher studies like the MEd and more. I dream of becoming an Assistant Professor."Coming in fourth was Pradumn Singh Yadav, a 25-year-old science stream student from Ghosi. Inspired by his father, also a teacher, he said, "I've always been interested in teaching-ever since I was a child. Both my family and I are really pleased with the result." (With inputs from Aditi Singh)...