Focus and self-study mantras of success, say young achievers who aced Class XII Boards

Shreya Garg from KBDAV Secondary School, Sector 7, Panchkula, scored 99.4 per cent marks in the commerce stream, with perfect 100 each in accountancy and business studies and 99 each in applied maths, English and economics. She aims to become a chartered accountant. Her Class X score was 99.2 per cent. “My focus was consistency, not long hours,” said the 18-year-old fiction reader and painter. Her father Devraj Garg runs a crockery business, while her mother Renu Garg is a homemaker.

Equally remarkable was Manas Sidher of Bhavan Vidyalaya, Panchkula, with 99.2 per cent marks. He earned 100 marks in food production, and 99 marks each in accounts, business studies, English and economics. The Manimajra resident now plans to join SRCC at Delhi University.

“Completing daily targets helped me stay on track,” he said. Manas’s father, Dr Jitendra Kumar, teaches mathematics, and his mother Meenu is a librarian. He scored 96 per cent in Class X.

From the science stream, Akshita Jain of Bhavan Vidyalaya scored 99.2 per cent marks. She scored 100 each in chemistry and maths, 99 each in physics and English, and 98 in music, all through self-study. “I didn’t rely on coaching, just discipline,” said the Sector 15, Panchkula, resident, who aims to crack JEE Advanced. Her Class X score was 98.8 per cent.

Her father Vishal Jain, is a Vice-President at ICICI Health Insurance, while her mother Shravika Jain works with HSVP, Panchkula.

In the medical stream, Aarav Goel of Sri Guru Harkrishan Model School, Sector 38, Chandigarh, secured 99 per cent (495/500). Son of neurosurgeon Dr Rajeev Goel and gynaecologist Dr Pragya Goel, Aarav aspires to become a doctor like his parents. His brother is pursuing MBBS at GMCH, Chandigarh. The 18-year-old enjoys cricket, crafts, and music.

Charmi from St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School scored 98.8 per cent. She had 93.6 per cent marks in Class X. She focused on NCERT texts, sample papers, and past year’s questions. A Kurali resident, Charmi hopes to become a criminologist.

“I didn’t use help books at all,” she said. Her father Hitesh is a businessman, and her mother Preeti, is a homemaker. She enjoys sketching, painting and films.

From Sacred Heart School, Nandika Sarin scored 98.2 per cent marks, with 100 marks each in physics and chemistry.

The 18-year-old daughter of doctors Jatin and Rimpi Sarin, Nandika, plans to pursue a medical career in research or teaching. A Bharatnatyam dancer and film enthusiast, she believes in complete dedication.

Scoring 96 per cent without any coaching, Ishika Panghal of Bhavan Vidyalaya, Panchkula, relied purely on self-study. The daughter of Colonel Balwan Singh, a Kargil war veteran, and homemaker Yamuna Panghal, Ishika, aspires to become a doctor. She lives in Sector 6, Panchkula, and had scored 97.6 per cent in her Class X boards. Her brother, Lieutenant Dev Panghal, is in the Indian Army. Ishika enjoys dancing, swimming, painting, and reading.

In the arts stream, Manya Sharma of Sacred Heart scored 95.6 per cent marks. Her father, Jiten Sharma, serves as Special Secretary in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Inspired by her elder sister Somya, a law graduate, Manya aims to serve in the judiciary.

“Helping my mother while studying taught me time management,” said the 18-year-old. Her mother, Sadhna Sharma, is a homemaker.

Jastej Singh Chhina, a Class XII medical student and topper of St John’s High School, Chandigarh, is a resident of Sector 64, Mohali. He steadily increased his study hours with a focus on consistency. Now awaiting his NEET results, the 18-year-old, who enjoys playing guitar and badminton, aspires to pursue a career in medicine.

Whether driven by academic ambition or family legacy, these students highlight how consistency, discipline, and a strong support system can lead to extraordinary success.

(The author is an intern at The Indian Express)