ICSE Topper 2024 Darsh Punjwani secured 98.4% in ICSE Exams 2024 without any coaching! Punjawani has emerged as a school topper from Jasudben ML School, Mumbai. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, CISCE announced the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, ICSE Result 2024 on May 6, 2024. When asked if his ICSE result 2024 is as per his expectation, Drash said, “I feel humbled to say that I have always been among the rankers in my academic career yet let me be honest! It took a few minutes for it to seep into me and believe that it had happened. My board result and the fact that I had topped the school left me ecstatic! I am sure an achievement of this kind would leave any student in the same state.”
In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, Darsh shared his ICSE Board Exams 2024 preparation strategy, career plans, tips for aspirants and more! Check out some interesting excerpts from the interview below:
Q: Congratulations on your result! How was your reaction after seeing the results?
A: I feel humbled to say that I have always been among the rankers in my academic career yet let me be honest! It took a few minutes for it to seep into me and believe that it had happened. My board result and the fact that I had topped the school left me ecstatic! I am sure an achievement of this kind would leave any student in the same state.
Q: Did you score what you expected?
A: My focus throughout has been on my studies. I believe in working hard and working smart, practicing time management and learning from my mistakes and moving forward. In the Bhagwat Gita, Lord Krishna has stated innumerable times that one must focus on the process and not the end result. I have adopted this technique in my life and always aim to give my best without worrying about the result.
Q: Please tell us something about your family background.
A: I have a huge close-knit family with parents, grandparents, and cousins who are always there for each other, be it in times of celebration or difficulty. My father works in the real estate industry. My mother is presently a homemaker. They have nurtured me with lots of love and guidance.
Q: Please tell about the stream that you are targeting.
A: I have always been fascinated with the world of science. I very much intend to explore it further, specializing in the engineering branch.
Q: What was your strategy to score above 95%?
A: I kept my mind and ears open to all the sincere guidance provided by my wonderful, caring, and experienced teachers both, at school and in the coaching classes. Regular studies, undivided focus, dedication and to keep raising the bar for myself is what I learned and practiced sincerely.
Q: Did you take any online or offline coaching?
A: Yes, apart from regular schooling, I had opted for offline coaching. Studying the same thing twice helped me drill the concepts and doubled my time as an investment in my studies.
Q: Who encouraged you the most in this journey?
A: My parents played a key role in motivating me by emphasizing on the value of these studies and how hard work would take me to great heights. However, most importantly, self-motivation is an essential tool to crack the ICSE board examinations. Unless you are motivated on your own to study regularly, nothing in the world can help you do well.
Q: What was your routine during ICSE board exam preparation?
A: Since my most productive hours were in the morning, I would make it a point to religiously wake up early. After a healthy satisfying breakfast, I would get to my studies at once and try to finish a major chunk of the studies planned for the day before lunch. After an hour’s refreshing meal, I would continue studying and try to complete it before an early dinner. After finishing up, I would spend some time in leisure activities like chatting with my friends and playing the guitar. I would end my day with a small prayer.
Q: What are your future plans? Which career path are you aiming for?
A: I aim to be an engineer since PCM are subjects close to my heart. For now, I have joined an integrated college to prepare for the JEE examinations. I aim to keep myself updated with all the career paths, including the newly evolving ones and take my time to evaluate them gradually and make the best choice considering my interests and capabilities.
Q: What is your favorite subject?
A: I love physics. Since time immemorial, physics has been in practice and is very intriguing to me.
Q: What is your dream college/institute?
A: IIT Bombay is the ultimate go-to place for me.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: I see myself as a successful and happy engineer. I would be extremely pleased to contribute and make a difference in the lives of all those who are responsible for my well- being which includes my parents and family, my alma mater, my workplace, my nation and society in general.
Q: Please share some tips for students prepping up to appear in ICSE Board Exams 2025
A: I believe that
- regular studies throughout the year, dedication, focus, and sincerity in one’s work can go a long way and play an integral role not only in the board examinations but also in life.
- Listening to teachers and parents is a wise thing to do because they will guide you with their vast knowledge and valuable experience.
- Additionally, I emphasize that the thing which cannot be missed out to crack the board exams is understanding the type of questions asked. And for that, referring to the past 10 years board questions is equally important.
- Do not worry if you do not perform well during tests/prelims. Brush up on your mistakes and work on past year’s examination papers. Sometimes life takes you a few steps behind to launch you forward. Wishing everybody success.
This article appeared in Shiksha online portal on 9th May, 2024
