Inside the Minds of CBSE Toppers: Habits, Daily Routine, Study Timetable & Secret Mantras

Study Smart, Not Just Hard

Nearly all toppers shared that their study methods prioritized quality over quantity. Pranet swore by short, focused sessions. “I didn’t sit for long hours every day. I increased study time closer to exams, but early on, it was all about effective, condensed learning.”

Rudra used active recall, chunking, and regular mock tests, alongside video lectures from PhysicsWallah. Class 12 PCB topper Deepshika Prasad (99.6%, Neerja Modi School, Jaipur) stayed away from rigid timetables. “They never worked for me. I made to-do lists with time-bound goals instead.”

Riddhima Ghosh (97.8%, Commerce topper, Shiv Nadar School) said balance was key: “I ensured all subjects got equal attention.”

Handling Pressure and Low Moments

From peer pressure to academic overload, these students have seen it all. “Some days, I just wanted to give up,” says Rudra. “But I reminded myself why I was doing this. I leaned on my family and friends for support.” Deepshika shared how emotional breakdowns weren’t rare, but parental reassurance and friendly pep talks kept her going.

Shaurya emphasized the role of rest and recreation: “I didn’t hesitate to unwind—squash, family time, even just doing nothing helped me refocus.”

Tackling Distractions in a Digital World

Managing distractions—especially social media—was a challenge all toppers had to battle. Riddhima gradually cut back on usage months before exams. Pranet stayed clear on his goals: “I knew certain things could wait.”

Deepshika, who didn’t use Instagram at all, confessed she occasionally reinstalled YouTube to binge—but always returned to her goal: “My mantra was, I’ll watch it all later. Right now, I need to study.”

Rudra even enabled parental control on his account to restrict access and used social media only to share achievements like his International Rank 1 in Social Science Olympiad.

Future Plans: From NEET to NASA

The toppers aren’t just board exam warriors—they’re already stepping into larger academic arenas. Deepshika is preparing for NEET, aiming for a government medical college. Riddhima has applied to pursue B.Com with ACCA.

Rudra’s list is particularly stellar: From internships with ISRO and NASA, to launching a startup, attending IIT bootcamps, and aiming for JEE and IIT Bombay, he’s eyeing both the tech world and civil services. Pranet, who scored a perfect 1600 in SAT, is still exploring pathways within STEM—from biomedical engineering to robotics.

Their Message to 'Average' Students: You Don’t Have to Be Born Extraordinary

Their common advice? Believe in the power of consistency. “You don’t need to be extraordinary,” says Rudra. “Just show up and do your work every day.” Deepshika urges students to stop comparing: “Focus on your doubts. Focus on your improvement. That’s enough.”

Riddhima summed it up with a quiet truth: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated daily.” And Pranet reminds us, “Progress, no matter how small, adds up.”