(Serena Gujral and Prisha Arora)
Students across the Tricity have delivered stellar performances in the ICSE and ISC Class 10 and 12 board examinations, with many crossing the 99% mark. Many toppers credited their success to self-discipline, consistency, and a balanced approach, with minimal reliance on coaching and a conscious effort to avoid stress.
Akshara Saini, a Class 10 student of Little Flower Convent School, Panchkula, scored 99.4%. “I preferred quality over quantity and took regular breaks,” said Akshara, a resident of Sector 20, Panchkula. Her father, Pradeep Saini, is a Superintending Engineer with UHBVNL, and her mother, Jaswinder Kaur, is a homemaker.
From DAV Dera Bassi, Pranshu Kumar scored 99.2%—all through self-study. “I never missed a class and paid attention in school,” said Pranshu, who hopes to crack JEE and pursue engineering. His mother works in security and his father is in the private sector.
At Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, Navnoor Gill scored 98.2%. “I want to join the civil services,” said Navnoor, an avid reader and painter who has read over 200 books. Her classmate Ryan Singla scored 97.8%. “I began serious preparation only during the pre-boards,” said Ryan, who plans to follow in his parents’ footsteps into architecture.
In Class 12, Aarit Sharma of Strawberry Fields High School, Chandigarh, scored an outstanding 99.5%. (Express Photo)
In Class 12, Aarit Sharma of Strawberry Fields High School, Chandigarh, scored an outstanding 99.5%, with perfect scores in Mathematics and Commerce. “I studied in small portions and went with the flow,” said Aarit, who limited his daily study to 2–3 hours while balancing his love for cricket and extracurriculars. A resident of Panchkula, he is the only child of businessman Amit Sharma and homemaker Shefali Sharma. He now hopes to crack CUET and join Delhi University.
Also from Strawberry Fields, Aasma Sri Garg scored 99.2% in Class 10. “I rely entirely on school and self-study, with no tuitions,” said Aasma, a Class XI student now. A resident of Panchkula, she is the daughter of Chief Judicial Magistrate Ravneet Garg; her mother, Geetanjali Garg, passed away a few years ago. Aasma aspires to become an IAS officer and is passionate about debating, theatre, music and art.
Ramaya Bansal, another topper from Strawberry Fields, also scored 99.2% in Class 10. “I focused on regular study, group discussions with friends and family, and solving past papers,” said Ramaya, a Mohali resident and daughter of doctors Vijay and Sunena Bansal. With perfect scores in Geography, Maths and Hindustani Music, she now hopes to crack NEET. “Reading and puzzles help me unwind,” she added.
Atuleya Malhotra of St Stephen’s School, Chandigarh, scored 99.2% in Class 10. (Express Photo)
Atuleya Malhotra of St Stephen’s School, Chandigarh, scored 99.2% in Class 10. “Comparison is the thief of joy—that’s what I believe in,” said Atuleya, who took no tuitions and relied on self-study and teacher support. He is currently preparing for the IIT-JEE while pursuing his interests in cricket and reading. His parents, Suresh Malhotra and Rajiv Malhotra, work with LIC and as an engineer respectively.
Among Class 12 achievers, Manan Arora of St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh, scored 97.75%, with full marks in Commerce and P.E. “I want to pursue chartered accountancy,” said Manan, who topped the commerce stream in his school.
His classmate Garvpreet Gill scored 94.75%. “I’ve been playing badminton at the national level since Class 4,” said Garvpreet, who now plans to become a neurosurgeon.
Yuvika, a non-medical student from Sector 41, Chandigarh, scored 94% and has appeared for engineering entrance exams.
Navtaj Kaur of St Xavier’s scored 95% in Class 12. (Express Photo)
Navtaj Kaur, also from St Xavier’s, scored 95% in Class 12. Originally from Fazilka, her family shifted to Chandigarh so she could pursue medicine. “My mother’s unfulfilled IAS dream is my biggest motivator,” said Navtaj, daughter of farmer Jagdeep Singh and homemaker Amandeep Kaur. With focused preparation and six hours of daily study from November onwards, she put extracurriculars on hold to stay dedicated.
Hunardeep Kaur from YPS Mohali scored 95% in Class 12.
Hunardeep Kaur from YPS Mohali scored 95% in Class 12, with 98 in Maths and 94 each in English, Biology, and Chemistry. “I always had clear goals and managed my time well,” said Hunardeep, daughter of civil engineer Harbir Singh Virk and freelancer Navdeep Kaur Virk. The former Head Girl is now preparing for NEET while also considering biotechnology engineering.
For many of these young achievers, the formula for success was refreshingly simple—stay consistent, keep calm, and trust in one’s own methods.
From DAV Dera Bassi, Pranshu Kumar scored 99.2%. 
In Class 12, Aarit Sharma of Strawberry Fields High School, Chandigarh, scored an outstanding 99.5%. (Express Photo)
Atuleya Malhotra of St Stephen’s School, Chandigarh, scored 99.2% in Class 10. (Express Photo)
Navtaj Kaur of St Xavier’s scored 95% in Class 12. (Express Photo)
Hunardeep Kaur from YPS Mohali scored 95% in Class 12.
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