CBSE 10th Class Topper Interview 2026: Ahaan Dondilkar from Maharashtra Scored 98.6%

Interview with the CBSE Class 10 Topper 2026 Ahaan Dondilkar

Q: Congratulations on your performance in the CBSE Class 10 result 2026. Can you tell us something about yourself?

Ans: My name is Ahaan Dondilkar. I have scored 98.6% (493/500) in the CBSE Board Examination. All my preparation was done without any expensive coaching; I studied on my own using resources available on the internet and AI. I study at Rainbow International School (Thane, Maharashtra).

It was my goal from the beginning of Class 10 to score the best I could. I have been an academic achiever from the very beginning and aspire to continue being the same. The main reason I was able to score well was my discipline and consistency. I balanced my social life with my academic life and avoided studying blindly for long hours.

Q: What was your reaction after seeing the result? And what are your subject-wise marks?

Ans: I was extremely satisfied with my marks. I expected lower marks, but I managed to score more than I had anticipated.

My subject-wise marks are:

• English (Language and Literature): 99/100
• Social Studies: 97/100
• Hindi (B): 98/100
• Mathematics (Standard): 95/100
• Information Technology: 100/100
• Science: 99/100

Q: Can you share some of your study habits and techniques that helped you excel in your exams?

Ans: I followed a well-planned strategy and organised my study schedule in a structured manner. I created a monthly plan that included the subjects and topics to be covered. Along with that, I maintained a daily planner where I wrote down tasks for each day and displayed it on my wall. I also used sticky notes to list the next day’s tasks the night before.

I made handwritten notes for each chapter, covering all topics in precise and crisp bullet points, along with marking important questions. I solved sample papers and got them checked by my school teachers, which helped me improve my Hindi and English scores from around 90 to 99.

I also prepared short notes, where an entire chapter was summarised in 2–3 pages without missing any key points. These notes became extremely valuable during revision. I used to listen to binaural beats and meditate for 10–15 minutes before study sessions to improve my focus. During this time, my phone remained switched off throughout the day.

Q: How did you manage your time effectively between academics, extracurricular 1activities, and personal life during your study time?

Ans: As mentioned earlier, I prioritised and organised my tasks, which helped me save time for activities I enjoy. I focused on managing my overall routine, not just studies.

Q: What were your subjects, and among them, which is your favourite subject?

Ans: My subjects were English (Language and Literature), Hindi (Course B), Mathematics (Standard), Social Science, Science, and Information Technology.

I liked Mathematics the most, followed by Science

Q: How did you stay motivated and focused, especially during stressful periods like exam time?

Ans: I had a long-term goal of achieving AIR 1 in CBSE, along with short-term goals such as completing chapters within a set time or solving a certain number of problems within a given time limit. This time-based approach made studying more engaging and challenging.

Completing daily tasks gave me a sense of satisfaction, which kept me motivated. This cycle of working and rewarding myself helped me stay consistent. I managed stress by taking short breaks and going for walks without using my phone. I also had a clear internal reason to perform well, which kept me focused.

Q: Did you take coaching for the exam? What are the benefits of coaching, according to you?

Ans: I did not take any physical coaching and completed my entire syllabus using free resources available on the internet. Personally, coaching was not suitable for me, as I prefer studying and understanding concepts in a calm environment rather than in a crowded setting.

Studying online helped me clear my doubts instantly using AI tools like ChatGPT. My school also played a major role by providing guidance and checking my sample papers, which improved my writing skills. Overall, I believe a student’s performance depends more on their own effort rather than coaching alone.

Marksheet Image of Ahaan Dondilkar (CBSE 10th Top Performer in 2026)

Q: Did you appear for any competitive or entrance examination, and how was your performance in it?

Ans: I did not appear for any competitive examinations.

Q: What are your future educational and career goals?

Ans: I aspire to study Science and pursue a career in this field. In the future, I aim to build my own startup.

Q: Any advice for the students who are going to appear in exams next year?

Ans: My biggest advice would be to focus on consistency rather than last-minute preparation. Studying a little every day with proper understanding is far more effective than long, exhausting study sessions before exams.

I relied a lot on practising previous years’ questions and regularly testing myself, which helped me identify and improve my weak areas. It is also important to keep your concepts clear instead of just memorising answers, as that builds real confidence in the exam hall.

Along with studies, maintaining a calm mindset and avoiding unnecessary stress or comparison with others makes a significant difference.