Encouragement at home, teachers who conducted special classes after school hours, and individual grit spurred an astounding outcome for our Class 10 students who posted a 99.3% pass result. Of the 498 students, 67% comprised scholarship students, and 50% were girls.

Toppers from the ten Isha Vidhya schools share what stimulated them to aspire for excellence and surpass everyone’s expectations, including their own.

“I believe that if we understand our lessons and are committed to studying, we can do well academically. I put in extra effort for two months before my exams and also helped two classmates in their studies, which served as an additional revision for me. I mismanaged time in my first paper – Tamil, and missed answering the last question, but I persevered and executed as planned in the remaining four papers."

“I wanted to score cent percent marks or more. Previously, I was a below-average student, but when I joined Isha Vidhya, I was intent on studying well and getting a good name because it was a new school. When I became a topper for the first time, I was motivated to study more. I did not want to become a topper - I aimed to score full marks in every subject.”

“My diligence, focus, and self-motivation helped me do well. My parents and teachers supported me a lot to reach these heights. After the teachers completed the syllabus, I repeatedly revised my lessons and woke up at 4.30 AM to prepare for the exams. When the results were announced, I shared my scores with my parents and called up my teachers to thank them.”

“My elder sister, an Isha Vidhya alumna, challenged me to score one mark more than she did, so I was thrilled when I outclassed that benchmark. I also happily shared my scores with every customer at my father’s shop. I achieved this feat because my parents and teachers believed in my abilities. With these excellent scores, I feel gratified that I can now study on a merit scholarship.”

“My teachers set a study timetable to help me achieve my goals,but I didn’t abide by it and failed math in the first monthly exam. I am easily distracted and have always studied at the eleventh hour, but wanting to shine academically motivated me to study relentlessly. I remained undeterred and wrote three exam papers with chicken pox.”

“I set a goal of scoring more than 480/500 and becoming eligible to study on a merit scholarship.On one of our post-dinner walks, my father told me putting in my best effort matters more than getting marks, which influenced how I studied this year. Being a topper was never my intention, and I only focused on grasping my lessons and doing my best.”

“I did not set any goal, but I did strive to give my all, and my scores surprised me. My parents told me not to worry about my scores but to focus on gaining knowledge. It inspired me a lot and helped me to study without stress. However, as a scholarship student, I consciously put in extra effort to make my sponsor proud of me.”

“I aimed to top my class to fulfil my parents’ dream. They were thrilled with my results and I felt gratified as my parents and teachers were an immense support and encouraged me when I felt low. I did much better than I had hoped to, but I think I could do it because I have always been a topper and striven to excel.”

“I expected to score well, but my parents were surprised,perhaps because I did not burn the midnight oil or feel pressurized. However, when I observed the girls in my class temporarily forgo sports and focus on preparing for the exams, I also began to study sincerely. I plan to strive to score excellent marks in Classes 11 and 12 to gain admission into a reputed college.”

“I aimed to score high marks as a tribute to my mother. Since my father left us, she has worked hard as a daily wager to care for the family and has endured ridicule from neighbors. So, I wanted to do well and make her feel proud. I was disappointed because I lost marks in one subject, but I felt good that I’d topped the school.”