Lucknow: As the afternoon sun lit up the lanes of Indira Nagar on May 13, an unassuming home in Sector 14 became the centre of attention—not for any political rally or film shoot, but for a young girl whose hard work and dreams had just taken flight.
Anushka Singh, a student of Rani Laxmi Bai Memorial School, emerged as Lucknow’s CBSE Class 12 topper with a remarkable 99% score, bringing pride not only to her family and school but to the entire city. In a year where the overall pass percentage stood at 88.39%—with girls outperforming boys yet again—Anushka’s achievement felt like a celebration of what determination, discipline, and a strong support system can achieve.
“It was my parents’ dream too”
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony at Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey Auditorium, Anushka was composed, yet her eyes sparkled with emotion. “It was my parents’ dream that I become the school topper. I worked day and night, stayed consistent, and did not let distractions get to me,” she said, with a quiet conviction that belied her age.
Daughter of a lawyer and an LIC advisor, Anushka chose commerce and has already charted a path ahead. “Accountancy became my favourite subject, all thanks to my teachers. I want to become a chartered accountant and contribute meaningfully to the country,” she added, her voice filled with purpose.
A City Full of Stars
While Anushka basked in the spotlight, she was far from alone in excellence. Students across Lucknow have made their mark in the 2025 CBSE results.
At Lucknow Public School (Sitapur Road branch), Vansh Shukla, a humanities student, scored a staggering 99.2%. “I completed my syllabus months before the exam. Attending classes regularly and focusing on what the teachers taught helped me immensely,” he said.
At DPS Gomti Nagar Extension, Aadeesh Dixit, also from the humanities stream, echoed similar sentiments. “It’s not about how long you study. I studied with all my senses—reading, speaking, visualising. That holistic approach worked wonders,” he shared, scoring 99.2%.
And then there was Kritika Soni from The Millennium School, who proudly scored 99%. “I deactivated social media months before the boards. My parents are my biggest inspiration, and I kept my focus consistent throughout,” she said.
Daughters Lead the Way—Again
Among the 22,000 students who appeared for Class 12 from Lucknow, the girls’ performance was remarkable—with a pass percentage of over 91%, outshining the boys by 5.94%. This marks yet another year when daughters have led from the front.
Harshita from LPS Sector D (98.6%) and Anchal Bhardwaj of LPS South City (98.8%) were among the other high scorers. Shambhavi Shukla from Red Rose Public School, who also secured 99%, said she’s been focused on her subjects since Class 7 and aspires to become a civil servant.
Meanwhile, Vishnupriya, a student of Study Hall School, who scored 98.6%, balanced academics with co-curriculars like MUNs and editing her school’s literary magazine. “Preparing from NCERT and immersing myself in different activities helped me build perspective,” she said.
Support Systems That Shine
Behind each of these students was a circle of support—parents, teachers, and peers who believed in them. Anushka’s teachers credited her calm focus and regular discipline for her performance. “She was always inquisitive, never afraid to ask questions. That’s what set her apart,” said her accountancy teacher.
The state education department is expected to felicitate toppers in coming weeks, with talks of scholarships and career guidance programs being floated. “Such merit must not just be celebrated but also nurtured,” said an official from the education board.
Beyond Marks: A Changing Social Narrative
More than just scores and percentages, this year’s CBSE results underline a larger social change—of daughters taking charge, of families trusting their children’s instincts, and of cities like Lucknow becoming cradles of modern educational ambition.
With over 40 centres conducting the CBSE exams across the city and 42,920 students appearing from Lucknow alone (Class 10 and 12 combined), the scale of success is both statistical and symbolic.
And in homes like Anushka’s, where dreams were once whispered in bedtime stories, today those dreams stand tall, etched into the future of a city, a state, and a generation of young Indians ready to take on the world.
“This success is not just mine,” Anushka said quietly, “It belongs to everyone who believed in me.” And with that, Lucknow celebrates not just a topper, but a torchbearer.
