The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared the Class 10th Result on 15th April 2026. Board exams have, for decades, had a similar frenzied, sweaty-hands feeling. One can easily picture students with beating hearts and constantly updated result pages. One of these students, Ganika Khurana, emerged as one of the toppers in the CBSE Class 10 board exam results, securing 99.6% in the exam. When asked about his monumental feat, he revealed an interesting insight into his preparation journey.The success story and the perfect score usually get the spotlight, but the hard work behind the scenes rarely makes the headlines. When she saw the results on the screen, she could feel the contrast from the day when she cried in panic about her preparation the day before her pre-board exam. Here is the journey of an interesting success story.
“I had to do something to make them proud.”
Ganika, among the top scorers this year, does not speak in high terms. His story comes across not as a tale of brilliance but as a study of discipline, doubt and steadfast determination. “I needed to do something to make my parents proud,” she said in an interview with The Times of India.There were no sudden twists, no last-minute dramatic grinds in Ganika’s preparations. Instead, his journey began early, almost unconsciously.“I have been a part of Shiv Nadar School in Faridabad since I was in the seventh standard. My parents were very supportive, and they didn’t put any pressure on me academically or otherwise. But it was always in my mind that I needed to do something to make them proud.”That quiet sense of responsibility, without pressure, became the foundation of his preparation.“When I entered class nine, all our teachers encouraged us that you will have boards next year. So I had that mindset from class nine. I started preparing from that time.”
A moment of panic before celebration
For most students, results day is perceived as a moment of triumph. For Ganika, it started with confusion. “To be very honest, when I first opened the account, the theory marks were given as 79 out of 80. So I thought that was my total marks, and the subject was English. So my first reaction was, what happened?”It’s a thoughtful but telling moment, the kind that captures the fragility of expectations. “When I saw the practical numbers, they added up to 99, then I moved on.Happiness arrived, but not without that brief, nagging doubt. “I was expecting good numbers, but then seeing them on screen, it was a completely different feeling.”
No obsession with hours, just consistency
Contrary to the popular narrative of a continuous study schedule, Ganika’s preparation was measured and deliberate.“I didn’t really count the hours; I’d just sit down with my to-do list, I think I’d be done in about three hours, and then six hours a day when I was near the board exams.” What defined his approach was not the number of hours, but how he used them.“I think discipline is one of the keys to success. And just staying calm under pressure is another thing, asking for help also plays an important role.”
The article that tested its limits.
Even high scorers have weak links. For Ganika it was social science. “SST is a subject that I found a bit difficult. In social sciences, I had to express myself subjectively, and the syllabus was very broad.”However, his reaction was rooted in method rather than panic. “My dad helped me here, he would ask me rapid-fire questions, like when is this dam, etc. So I think active memory helped me do social science better.”It’s a reminder that success, more often than not, is built on small, everyday practices rather than grand strategies.
Breaking down, and rebuilding
Perhaps the most revealing part of his journey is not his success but his vulnerability. “During my first pre-board, I was feeling overwhelmed; I started crying at night.”It’s a moment that resonates in households during board season — the weight of a “first big exam.”“I called my dad, my parents helped me calm down and reassured me that it’s okay, we’ll support you.” That reassurance, she explains, was crucial in helping her regain control.
Move away to move forward
Unlike many students who go through burnout, Ganika chose to pause when needed. “I used to feel hopeless at times. I would just leave my books with my family, let my mind study for two hours and then I would be refreshed.”His approach was simple, but effective. “If you’re feeling down, just go outside and you’ll get that renewed sense of energy to start over.”
Golden advice from above
In the final phase before exams, his strategy shifted from learning to improvisation. “Instead of revisiting all the material, I practiced a lot of previous year’s CBSE papers, which helped me actively recall what I had already studied.” His advice to juniors is equally sound and uncompromising.“You need to read every line, every word, every line, every picture, every caption of NCERT. Because what will be the difference between a good score and a perfect score, it can come in the form of MCQs.”When asked what made his strategy a “topper’s secret”, he said, “I made short notes, mind maps and flowcharts, which helped me revise at the last moment, as it is not possible to go through all the chapters again.”
A big lesson beyond numbers
Ganika is clear that cognitive strategies alone are not enough. Emotional honesty is equally important. “Even if you’re feeling sad, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help. Sometimes, we get caught up in our feelings. I think that’s really important, because there’s a lot of pressure and we need to express ourselves.”The 16-year-old learned and understood the importance of seeking help from loved ones when you need it. More than marks and scoring high, it is a life lesson that every student needs to imbibe in a world that is fiercely competitive.
Looking ahead.
With science as her chosen stream, she is now gearing up for the next milestone. “I want to become an engineer, and will prepare for the JEE Mains exam.” Another exam, another round of preparation, but perhaps with more clarity.
The story behind the score
In a season dominated by percentages, Ganika’s journey offers a different path. This is not the story of a student who never gave up, but the story of one who accepted the pressure, worked through it, and persevered.Finally, the result is not just a number on the screen. It’s a combination of initial preparation, small daily habits, moments of doubt, and the decision to keep going each time.
