Education Leaders | Top Interviews

Karnataka's II PUC 2025 results created a wave of celebrations, mainly from Thirthahalli town and Kaniyooru town, with two deserving students sweeping the state level in the Science stream.

We caught up with the state’s first and fifth rank holders—Diksha R. from Thirthahalli and Shrividya N. from Kaniyooru—to learn more about their journey, their routines, and the dreams they’re chasing.

Diksha R., Vagdev Education Institution, Thirthahalli

State Rank: 1 | Marks: 599/600

Q: First of all, congratulations, Diksha! How does it feel to top the state?

Diksha: Thanks! It was wonderful, actually. I did not anticipate being state first, but I had worked a bit, so I expected a good one.

Q: What was your study routine like?

Diksha: I made sure to study every day. Our lecturers were very motivating—explained things well and cleared all my doubts. I also watched subject-specific YouTube videos, which helped me understand tough concepts better.

Q: What motivated you over the course of the year?

Diksha: My parents motivate me. Both my parents are teachers—my father teaches at Megaravalli School and my mother teaches at Thirthahalli Balakiyara High School. Seeing them committed actually made me committed too.

Q: What's next for you?

Diksha: I'd like to become an engineer. I'm especially interested in computer science.

Shrividya N., Government PU College, Kaniyooru

State Rank: 5 | Marks: 595/600

Topper Among Government PU Colleges

Q: Shrividya, state's fifth ranker and government PU college topper across the board—how are you feeling today?

Shrividya: Very proud. I felt that government college students also had the potential to perform at the top level, and I'm happy I could do so.

Q: Did you think anything in particular gave you the edge?

Shrividya: I stayed concentrated and strictly followed what my teachers said. They were always ready to help, and that helped immensely. I also did continuous revisions and took plenty of mock tests.

Q: Can you say a little about your family.

Shrividya: My father is the headmaster at Pragathi English Medium School, and my mother always encouraged me to be strong in my dreams. Their belief in me motivated me.

Q: And what are your future dreams?

Shrividya: I also wish to study engineering. I have always been fascinated by technology.

While Karnataka is celebrating excellence par excellence in the results of II PUC, Diksha and Shrividya are both shining examples of how quality teaching, family support, and consistency can help achieve out-of-the-world success—irrespective of where you study.

Dr Lal Bahadur Siddharth, a celebrated surgeon from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, is a familiar name in the medical community today as he operates on villagers for free. But there is a painful tale behind his success. Growing up, he saw people in his village suffering and dying because of the absence of medical attention. That same pain now compels him to treat the poor and needy.

Raised in a small village with no or little medical infrastructure, Dr Siddharth was born into a poor family. He saw the poor perish as they were not able to pay a doctor's fee or visit the city for treatment. Such pitiful moments left an impression on his mind, and he was determined to become a doctor and provide free medical care to the poor.

Despite the scarce resources, Lal Bahadur Siddharth did not give up. During his early years, he was a compounder with a local doctor while he continued his studies. His practical exposure gave him an even deeper insight into medicine. He completed his medical studies with tireless efforts and dedication and became a master surgeon.

Once he was successful, Dr Siddharth chose to return to his village instead of working in big cities. He established Siddharth Hospital in Jaunpur, where he provides free treatment to the poor. From surgeries to medicines, he ensures that no one is deprived of medical treatment because of a lack of funds.

Besides his hospital, he conducts health camps in remote villages away from cities, treating patients who are unable to reach a hospital. His selfless service has made him a beacon of hope for many individuals, with patients traveling from far and wide to receive his help.

Dr Lal Bahadur Siddharth's life is a reminder of determination and service. His journey is one that motivates each and every individual who wishes to make his/her presence felt in society. His journey attests to the fact that with perseverance and a sense of service, nothing is out of reach. Now his venture is one which benefits not only Jaunpur but the entire nation as well as an example, proving that true success doesn't lie through material riches but through the benefit of the needy.

Dr Lal Bahadur Siddharth, a celebrated surgeon from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, is a familiar name in the medical community today as he operates on villagers for free. But there is a painful tale behind his success. Growing up, he saw people in his village suffering and dying because of the absence of medical attention. That same pain now compels him to treat the poor and needy.

Raised in a small village with no or little medical infrastructure, Dr Siddharth was born into a poor family. He saw the poor perish as they were not able to pay a doctor's fee or visit the city for treatment. Such pitiful moments left an impression on his mind, and he was determined to become a doctor and provide free medical care to the poor.

Despite the scarce resources, Lal Bahadur Siddharth did not give up. During his early years, he was a compounder with a local doctor while he continued his studies. His practical exposure gave him an even deeper insight into medicine. He completed his medical studies with tireless efforts and dedication and became a master surgeon.

Once he was successful, Dr Siddharth chose to return to his village instead of working in big cities. He established Siddharth Hospital in Jaunpur, where he provides free treatment to the poor. From surgeries to medicines, he ensures that no one is deprived of medical treatment because of a lack of funds.

Besides his hospital, he conducts health camps in remote villages away from cities, treating patients who are unable to reach a hospital. His selfless service has made him a beacon of hope for many individuals, with patients traveling from far and wide to receive his help.

Dr Lal Bahadur Siddharth's life is a reminder of determination and service. His journey is one that motivates each and every individual who wishes to make his/her presence felt in society. His journey attests to the fact that with perseverance and a sense of service, nothing is out of reach. Now his venture is one which benefits not only Jaunpur but the entire nation as well as an example, proving that true success doesn't lie through material riches but through the benefit of the needy.

My path to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) started with my increasing passion for mathematics. I belong to Delhi-NCR, and I studied at the Cambridge School, Noida. I did quite well in studies during middle school and improved significantly during high school. I never really had any interest in any extracurricular activities or sports during school.

But Class 10 changed things for me. I developed an interest in maths during classes 11 and 12 after completing my maths syllabus in Class 10. I began to find it satisfying to solve maths problems and learn new things. I ended up solving my Class 11 and 12 NCERT maths textbooks by the time I finished my Class 10 board exams. Considering my experience in solving these questions, I believed that it would not be difficult to clear the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). It was at that time that I decided to study for JEE.

I took the JEE in 2024. My rank in JEE Main was 2,604 (AIR) and 2,365 (AIR) in JEE Advanced. I prepared entirely through online classes of a coaching institute. I opted for online coaching since it was more convenient and flexible for a school-going student like me. It was not easy to attend school and online classes together as I had to study as soon as I reached home from school. I used to solve my coaching modules in the school itself. As mentioned above, I enjoy mathematics and logic. Thus, I wished to choose a branch with maximum mathematical usage. I filled computer science, mathematics and computing, and artificial intelligence in my Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling.

I eventually got admission in IIT Ropar in 2024 in the computer science branch. It was my first-ever time away from home. There were some challenges, such as getting used to mess food, hostel life and staying away from family. I miss home comfort and street foods of Delhi. I also miss playing and meeting my school friends. All this changed once I befriended someone. College life started enjoying much more after that.

I used to take a few days to get used to the IIT life. We first didn't have any classes because of the induction programme, so we had loads of time to discover things independently, make buddies and get accustomed to college life. The mess food wasn't as terrible as we anticipated yet nowhere near comparable to food from home. I soon made some buddies and met lots of individuals. It was extremely simple to befriend others here since everyone was of the same age, had the same academic interests and shared the same hobbies.

We don't need to join most clubs here to attend club events. Our induction programme included numerous club activities organized by all the clubs in the college. I had a lot of fun attending these activities and befriended new people. Once the induction programme was over, I only went to attend the sessions of clubs that I was interested in, such as the oratory club and software club. It is not at all difficult juggling academics and club activities because there are no activities scheduled during exam time, and club activities usually take place in the evening when there are no classes.

I have gained more independence and more confidence after joining IIT. I also become more social than I was when I was at home because there are a lot of like-minded individuals with whom I can easily identify and share common interests. I have realized the importance of connecting with like-minded individuals. A lot of people, including my seniors, professors, and parents, have all advised me the same. I used to see my computer science professor at the railway station one time, and we chatted about college life for an hour or so. He also put a lot of stress on the networking in college, which is good advice. 

I am at my classes from morning until afternoon. Later, I practice some sports like table tennis during the evening. After dinner, I spend time with my friends, play some video games, and study as well. There are a few nice places to hang out at our campus. The ones that we visit are the cafe, Maggi Point, and the garden. The majority of my money is spent in food outlets. There aren't many outlets so our choice is limited. As there isn't much to spend on, I don't spend more than my budget usually. I prefer eating Maggi at Maggi Point, fries at the cafeteria and milkshakes from the cafe. If I ever feel like I want something healthy, then I order eggs and paneer.

Half of the professors are good teachers, and half are not. I make it a point to go to every lecture of a well-taught course, whereas for others, I make sure to study from the senior students' notes to get good marks in the exams. Because of the 75 per cent attendance rule by our institute, we are still obligated to go to classes of badly taught courses, which is really unfortunate.

There really isn't much to do in the city. We do nearly all of our activities on campus. It is a good break from the commotion in Noida where I reside, though. There is far less pollution and we get to see a lot of birds and animals that don't show up in large cities. I feel campus life here is not all that different from the colleges my friends attend. But I think IITs have superior sports infrastructure, better networking opportunities, large fests, and clubbing activities.

I play badminton and table tennis on a regular basis. We also have our weekly sports period, where we usually play dodgeball. I have lots of fond memories with my friends. We spend most of our time making jokes, watching films, playing sports, preparing for exams, etc. We even took a trip to a nearby hill station during our winter break and enjoyed ourselves immensely.

If I were to alter some aspects of IIT life, I would enhance the quality of food in our mess, provide air conditioners in our hostels, and have more food outlets on our campus.

Upon finishing my BTech, I wish to gain some experience in tech in the industry. I am looking at various areas in tech and targeting my courses to lay good foundations in my first year.

Aahana Srishti, a talented young economist from Delhi, got All India Rank 3 in the extremely sought-after UPSC-conducted Indian Economic Service (IES) exam in 2024. In an inspiring LinkedIn post, she took the time to walk us through her experience, sharing with us the important tips that helped her secure one of India's toughest exams. Talking to The Indian Express in an interview that is exclusive to this newspaper, Aahana charted out her experience, study schedule, and mindset that enabled her to pull off this big achievement.

After being told about her success, Aahana mentioned that she had a dream-like experience. She did not treat the exam as a do-or-die situation but rather as a test of how much she knew about economics. She also had a plan B—if she failed the exam, then she would retake it or pursue a PhD. This mindset, as she explained, reduced the pressure and allowed her to focus without the looming specter of failure over her head. Aahana emphasized the importance of having fall-back plans because it helps in stress management and being clear-headed during preparation.

Aahana credited her success to several things, but most importantly her mother's rock-solid faith in her and so-called "divine intervention." She described how her mother drove her relentlessly, ensuring that she was emotionally robust throughout the journey. As much as work was required, she also understood that sometimes things magically fall into place, which encouraged her to believe even more strongly in perseverance and self-confidence.

Recalling her day of the UPSC interview, Aahana admitted to being nervous but was able to relax by reassuring herself that she had given it her best while she prepared. Attending the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM) to begin training was a stepping stone and point of pride. She was profoundly proud of having the years she spent hard working convert into something purposeful.

Her journey has since then inspired numerous hopefuls, with numerous messages flooding in from people who were inspired by her journey. Aahana felt this deeply satisfying, particularly when someone told her that her success encouraged them that hard work bore fruit. She explained that if her journey was able to inspire one person to pursue their dreams, it would be all worth it.

Academically, Aahana graduated in Indraprastha College for Women followed by a post-graduation in Economics at IIFT. Her fieldwork also benefited her as a consultant with ICRIER, provided her with experience in economic policymaking and economic policymaking issues and their pragmatic implications, proving useful for IES exam preparations. She also advised the prospective contenders to study assiduously, do not be discouraged when they face disappointments, and watch out for mental health while in preparation mode. She also warned us to plan a plan B, and even went ahead to state that it can turn out to be a game-changer in managing the uncertainty of competitive exams.

In the years to come, Aahana is a probationary officer in the Indian Economic Service and wishes to provide a positive contribution towards policymaking in economics. She remains ready to pursue opportunities that will combine her interest in economics with policy application. Starting this new path, she hopes her story inspires others to reach for the pinnacle.

In a historic milestone, Ayush Patel, a Physics student of Lucknow University and cadet of the 64 UP Battalion NCC, has been chosen as an officer in the Indian Army. His path, filled with determination and tough training, has been greatly influenced by his National Cadet Corps (NCC) experience. By attending various training camps and tough training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, a strong foundation for his army career was established.

This interview reveals his experience, problems, and NCC's contribution to his success.

Q: Congratulations on your selection in the Indian Army! What has been your experience thus far?

A: Right from the initial stages, there was a desire to join the Indian Army. Between 2021 and 2023, I attended different NCC training camps, such as the NCC Combined Army Training Camp, map-reading camps, and weapon training camps. These imparted valuable skills and discipline.

Q: What type of training did you receive to prepare for this chance?

A: At the Officers Training Academy camp, in Chennai, complete training was accomplished. The training helped immensely towards instilling leadership traits, physical strength, and thinking stronger at a strategic level, which all contributed to achieving this success. 

Q: In what manner did NCC shape your path towards the Indian Army?

A: A major role was also played by NCC in this context. By the means of NCC, army discipline, team spirit, and leadership were achieved. The knowledge and experiences gained through camps and training proved helpful in bringing about the confidence and determination necessary for this choice.

Q: What would you like to tell other students who want to become a part of the Indian Army?

A: One must understand that hard work, discipline, and dedication are the keys to success. The opportunities offered by NCC must be made the most of by one's ability, and untiring efforts must be made to improve oneself physically and mentally. Anything is possible with determination.

Harvard University’s Professor Bharat N. Anand recently shed light on how artificial intelligence (AI) could play a transformative role in making education more accessible and affordable. Speaking about the future of education, Anand emphasized the importance of reimagining traditional learning models to reach a broader audience at lower costs.

In the last decade, Harvard has reached exponentially more people outside the walls of its physical classrooms, teaching approximately 15 million students online. That's compared to the 17,000 students that the organization enrolls in its degree programs each year. The worldwide movement towards online learning is a testament to the potential of digital technology, like AI, to equalize the playing field in education.

Anand cited Harvard's AXM program, which is aimed at the 40 million Americans who start college but fail to finish. He noted that technology needs to be utilized to fill the gap and allow more students to finish school. With AI-based learning systems, students are able to receive personalized education based on their own needs, improving learning and ease.

AI has already begun transforming much of the education, from automating back-end processes to more student interaction with adaptive learning technology. Anand pointed out that if institutions implemented AI, they could lower operational expenses, and this would enable them to provide cheaper education without reducing quality.

Although AI presents humongous possibilities, Anand envisaged issues with the process of embracing technology within academia. Institutions were challenged by him to deploy new thinking but not lose touch with the reality that education was interactive, inclusive, and productive. With colleges worldwide grappling with the potential offered by AI, the ideal proportion but yet again needs to be found between using technology and adopting old world pedagogic mechanisms.

Harvard's adoption of leveraging AI and digital media to expand access to learning is one aspect of a broader effort to deliver high-quality learning experiences to students regardless of geography or economic constraints. As institutions are on the move to explore AI-based models, the future of education may be more responsive, personalized, and accessible than ever.

Anand's words are an affirmation of the growing sense that AI is not merely a tool for enriching education but a force behind change in learning delivery and acquisition everywhere in the world. As more breakthroughs take center stage, AI can also be an overarching force behind the next generation of teachers and learners.