Karnataka SSLC Toppers: A Story of Discipline and Support
From bustling metropolitan areas to remote villages, the seven SSLC toppers of Karnataka share common traits: discipline, consistency, and robust backing from families and educators. Their narratives, originating from varied socio-economic backgrounds, highlight how concentrated effort, clear objectives, and persistent work can surmount limitations and transform aspirations into outstanding academic accomplishments.
Dhanush Sudhir Mysore – Poorna Prajna Education Centre, Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru
Through consistent revision, disciplined study habits, and a unique approach of instructing classmates, Dhanush Sudhir Mysore attained a flawless 625/625 in the SSLC exams. The sole topper from Bengaluru, he credited his success to regular review of lessons taught in class rather than depending on last-minute cramming. “I primarily studied at school and tuition. At home, I didn’t put in extremely long hours, but whenever I studied, I ensured complete focus,” he explained.
Dhanush attributed a substantial part of his performance to aiding peers with their studies. Explaining concepts to others reinforced his own comprehension and memory retention. “Teaching my friends helped me remember much more from the syllabus,” he remarked.
He now intends to pursue the science stream with computer science and aims to crack the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for engineering studies. Beyond academics, he maintains interests in table tennis, chess, and playing the keyboard.
His father, Sudhir S Mysore, a software professional, stated: “Being from a middle-class family, we decided that a state board school would be best for our son, rather than international schools with ICSE or CBSE syllabi. The Karnataka board’s curriculum has improved significantly.” He added that the couple was particular about the company their son kept at school. “Before exams, I advised Dhanush to think from the evaluator’s perspective so his answers were clear and easy to assess. As parents, we never forced him to study; he was quite independent. In fact, we encouraged regular breaks,” he said.
Bharath G – Sri Vidyalakshmi English-Medium High School, Davanagere
Hailing from the small village of Kanivebilachi in Channagiri taluk, Bharath’s journey has captured statewide attention. Growing up with a singular ambition to become a doctor and aid those with limited healthcare access, he traveled daily to Vidyalakshmi School in nearby Kabbal, balancing studies with the realities of a modest life. His father Girish, a small farmer and daily-wage laborer, and mother Shilpa stood firmly behind him despite financial hardships. Their belief paid off as Bharath topped the SSLC exam, surpassing all expectations. Headmistress Lakshmidevi AN said, “He has been studying in our school from class one… all of us are proud of him.”
Sukhadeva – BVR English-Medium High School, Raichur
By scoring 625/625 in SSLC, Sukhadeva has become a celebrity in the Kalyana Karnataka region. A student of BVR High School in Manvi town, his mother Chandrakala is a Kannada teacher at a government high school, while his father Parashuram works as a guest lecturer at a private college. Celebrations erupted at the school and in the locality after the results were announced, with teachers, district in-charge minister NS Boseraju, and the general public congratulating and honoring the boy. Family support is said to have played a pivotal role in his achievement.
Preetham G Poojary – Mother Theresa Memorial School, Udupi
Setting small, consistent goals and meeting them without fail helped Preetham turn ambition into achievement, securing a perfect 625 in the SSLC exam. Son of Ganapathi Poojary, a private bus conductor, and Nagaratna, a homemaker, he credited his success to a structured approach to studies and disciplined execution of daily, weekly, and monthly targets. “I was aiming for a perfect score, but I was also tense about whether I would achieve it. I was confident of scoring above 620, but I had doubts because of my handwriting,” Preetham told TOI. He recalled how his Kannada teacher Vaishali had been advising him since class 7 to improve his handwriting. “I worked on it but still felt that if I lost marks, it might be because of my handwriting,” he said. On the academic front, Preetham emphasized staying attentive in class and clarifying doubts immediately. “Once home, I would revise whatever was taught in class every day,” he added.
Prarthana Nagappa Biradar Patil – Government High School, Katageri, Belagavi
Not many children of teachers emerge as toppers, but Prarthana is an exception. Her father teaches at the same village school where she studied. “It was my wish to study in Kannada medium and get a rank, and now it has come true. My interest in reading and studying paid off. I want to become a doctor,” she said. School headmaster GA Khot noted that her achievement is a boost for Kannada schools on the border. The school had introduced a new concept called ‘Oduva Mane’ (reading house), aimed at creating an environment conducive to nurturing rank achievers in the Chikkodi educational district.
Brunda M Tapse – St Mary’s High School, Chikkamagaluru
The results did not come as a surprise for Brunda’s family, who were confident she would emerge as a topper. “I expected the result and prepared so as to get full marks,” she said. Thanking her parents, Manjunath Tapse and Harshini, and teachers, Brunda stated she spent around seven hours daily studying. She gave equal importance to all subjects and never neglected any. Additionally, she set goals every day and ensured all topics were revised. She plans to continue in the science stream and pursue higher studies in engineering.
Saujanya Basavaraj Kandakur – Oxford English-Medium School, Nagarabetta, Vijayapura
Saujanya hails from Hunagund town in Bagalkot district, daughter of Basavaraj Kandakur, a retired government school teacher, and Girija Kotagi, also a teacher. “I was expecting to top the state. I studied regularly during the hostel’s daily study hours along with my classmates. The guidance of my teachers and encouragement from my parents helped me achieve this,” said Saujanya, who aspires to become a doctor.
