CBSE 2025: Rudra Pratap Singh breaks the myth of long hours, scores 499/500 with a focused 2-hour routine

Time of India

21-05-2025

The academic world constantly flaunts 'quantity' and the number of hours studied ostentatiously. But here's a topper who stole the spotlight not only for his exceptional performance in the
CBSE Class 10
board exams, but also for his not-so-followed
study strategy
. Meet
Rudra Pratap Singh
, a student of Stone Ridge International School, Rudrapur, who secured 499 out of 500 marks in the CBSE Class 10 exams.
His secret to success? Consistency and smart work. Shattering all the age-old adages that equate long hours with high scores, Rudra said: 'I studied for just two hours a day.'
At first glance, Rudra's story seems like one of prodigious intellect. But a deeper conversation reveals something more universal and profoundly human—a story of clarity, self-discipline, and purpose-driven learning, all while shouldering responsibilities that transcends far beyond textbooks.
A
polymath
in the making
From training with NASA and ISRO under their Young Scientist and Citizen Science programmes to interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during government-led youth initiatives, Rudra's resume reads like a page out of an adult professional's LinkedIn profile.
'I've worked with the Ministry of Youth Affairs for programmes like Viksit Bharat and Leaders Dialogue,' he said. He also holds certifications in astrophysics from IIT Kanpur and IIT Bhubaneswar, and serves as a Brand Ambassador for KIIT University, Russia.
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At such a young age, Singh has earmarked his name as the world record-holding author, certified by the World Record Committee (USA) as the youngest writer of juvenile fiction. He perceives this as part of a larger mission. 'I'm advocating for
youth welfare
, teen upliftment, and mental health activism,' he says with the composure of someone twice his age.
More strategy, less struggle
So what is the secret behind a teenager with international commitments and so many other feathers in his cap finding time to top the board exams?
It isn't something very typical, nor something entirely different, Rudra says—'just prioritisation and consistency.'
He didn't believe in marathon study sessions. 'Quality over quantity—I never went beyond two hours a day. But I made sure those two hours were fully focused. I broke large tasks into smaller ones and checked them off daily.'
Rudra admits to feeling demotivated several times during the journey. 'Sometimes I wondered if two hours were enough,' he said. 'But then my inner voice reminded me—you've made a promise to yourself and to the people who believe in you.
That belief became my fuel.'
A balanced learner, A humble mind
Rudra's love for learning isn't confined to math or science. 'I've always loved social sciences,' he said. His interests in geopolitics and climate science saw him working with Oxford Academy and participating in the UN Climate Science Olympiad. He's also been a member of the United Nations World Parliament.
He allocated separate time for each subject. 'I gave 45 minutes each to English, Hindi, and Social Science, and a bit more to Mathematics because solving problems requires practice,' Rudra says.
He made sure he was gaining conceptual clarity in every subject.
Lessons beyond the classroom
Like every success story, Rudra's too has its cornerstone. 'My family, my teachers, and the environment around me,' he says without a pause. 'There were times when my parents believed in me more than I believed in myself.'
He credits his online mentors at PhysicsWallah for helping him build strong conceptual clarity and appreciates the flexibility that digital learning offers.
'When we study online, we must show our face to the teacher—not just out of respect, but to stay accountable to ourselves.'
For someone his age, Rudra is remarkably self-aware. 'Motivation is temporary, but when discipline becomes your motivation, it stays.'
Advice that breaks the mold
Like every success story, Rudra's too has its cornerstone. 'My family, my teachers, and the environment around me,' he says without a pause. 'There were times when my parents believed in me more than I believed in myself.'
He credits his online mentors at PhysicsWallah for helping him build strong conceptual clarity and appreciates the flexibility that digital learning offers. 'When we study online, we must show our face to the teacher—not just out of respect, but to stay accountable to ourselves.'
For someone his age, Rudra is remarkably self-aware. 'Motivation is temporary, but when discipline becomes your motivation, it stays.'
Eyes on the stars, feet on the ground
Currently in Class 11, Rudra is focused on the PCM stream, but his ambitions are far broader than just cracking an entrance exam. Whether it's working with ISRO again, continuing his writing, or influencing
youth policies
, Rudra sees learning as a lifelong journey, not a series of marksheets.
And as he moves forward, the lesson he leaves behind is a compelling one—you don't need long hours, you need deep intent.
In an age where academic excellence is too often equated with burnout, Thakur Rudra Pratap Singh stands as proof that with purpose, even two hours a day is enough to chase the stars—and catch them.
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