Music, theatre, and kathak: How ISC toppers from Bengaluru balanced studies with extracurricular activities

Indian Express

30-04-2025

For Samuel Ethan Pinto, his true calling lies in the study of reptiles, with a particular focus on snakes and venom research. Inspired by National Geographic at a very young age, he is driven by the urgent need to address India's snakebite crisis.
Talking to The Indian Express, Pinto, 19, the science topper in Karnataka in the Indian School Certificate (ISC) Class 12 exams with 96 per cent, said, 'Snakebite-related deaths touch nearly 60,000 annually, predominantly among farmers, and snakebites can cause significant disabilities. I believe anti-venom technology can be vastly improved, and I would love to pursue research on these lines in the coming days.'
A student of Bethany High School, Koramangala, Pinto said he views venom research as both a lucrative opportunity and a chance to make a meaningful impact.
Karnataka achieved a pass percentage of 99.63 per cent in the ISC Class 12 exams, surpassing the national average 99.02 per cent. The results announced by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) Wednesday showed that 2,442 Karnataka students took the exams: 1,155 boys (47.30 per cent) and 1,287 girls (52.70 per cent).
A school head boy and a core member of the organising committee of schools' cultural, Pinto was hands full in the run-up to the ISC exam. 'I had very little time to prepare for boards. I was actively engaging in cultural activities at the school just months before the exam,' he said.
Talking about his preparations, Pinto said, 'Mathematics was a bit challenging, especially integration. However, with consistent practice and assistance from teachers, I worked around the subject.'
'However, in the run-up to the examination, I prepared a timetable every day, dedicated one hour for each subject,' he added.
The humanities topper, Natalie Patricia Rodrigues, 18, from Bethany High School, secured 98.2 per cent percentage. 'I was shocked but so excited,' she said.
Despite a hectic schedule with a December musical and board exam prep, Rodrigues faced stress head-on. 'I was not sure if I would manage given my indulgence in musicals, theatre and other activities,' she said, adding that she relied on friends through Google Meet study sessions.
However, she overcame anxiety with meditation and early mornings, studying two hours daily, and seven to eight hours closer to exams. A singer, dancer, and actor for 14 years, she unwinds through school athletics and the arts. Passionate about psychology and sociology, Rodrigues aspires to pursue a career in psychology to address mental health issues.
'Our generation needs help, and I want to be there for them,' she said.
Meanwhile, Sanidhya Kapoor, from Greenwood High School, Bengaluru, secured 98.75 per cent to come top among commerce students in the ISC exam. She also balanced her board exam preparation with the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), in which she secured an all-India rank of 25, earning a spot at NLU Delhi to pursue a career in law.
'Law is fascinating. It connects you with people on a personal level,' she said.
Crediting her success to her school's exceptional teaching, she noted, 'Teachers cleared concepts thoroughly through assignments, making revision easy.' Sanidhya, whose father is an AWS engineer and mother a homemaker, praised her parents' unwavering support.
'They never pressured me, just supported me—they were my biggest strength,' she said.
For stress relief, she relied on kathak, a passion she pursued for 10 years, and badminton at school, dedicating three to four hours daily to these activities. 'Kathak is my stress-buster,' she said.
Her advice to peers? 'Pay attention in class, follow teachers' guidance, and stay consistent with assignments. That's what helped me crack the exam.'
Meanwhile, in Karnataka, boys outperformed girls with a pass percentage of 99.65 per cent compared to 99.61 per cent in the ISC exams. The 97 Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates had a 93.81 per cent pass rate, while the 33 Scheduled Tribe candidates achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, and 1,323 Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates recorded a 99.54 per cent pass rate.