CBSE 10th topper Ananya Bhutada 99.2% NCERT: How NCERT, RRR and Fitness Fueled Her No-Coaching Success
Ananya Bhutada scored 99.2% in the CBSE Class 10 boards in 2026 . In an interview updated on Apr 16, 2026 , she described a NCERT-first routine, the RRR formula (Read, Revise, Recall), daily tennis and eight hours of sleep as pillars of her preparation.
Quick snapshot: CBSE 10th topper Ananya Bhutada 99.2% NCERT
Ananya comes from a family of doctorates in Pharmacy and has a sister who is a national-level tennis player. She did not attend any online or offline coaching and credits parental support—her father even left a job to manage tennis schedules. Marathi was her toughest subject; she improved with help from Mrs. Sujata Jadhav. She plans to prepare for NEET while continuing tennis.
Key dates and figures
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result year | 2026 |
| Score | 99.2% |
| Article update | Apr 16, 2026 |
| Rechecked result | 3–4 times |
| Daily sleep | 8 hours |
| Entertainment break | ~ 45 minutes TV |
Why this result matters for CBSE aspirants
Ananya’s 99.2% matters because she reached it without coaching. That challenges the common belief that coaching is mandatory for top scores. Compared with other high scorers—Aadya Sharma ( 97.4% ), Shivadev ( 98.4% ) and Sarthak Ghosh ( 98.6% )—Ananya’s mark shows NCERT-focused preparation can push you into the 99% bracket.
This is relevant for CBSE board exam 2026–27 aspirants aiming for high scores without burning out. You can use NCERT as your base, add focused practice where needed, and prioritise health and consistency.
Reaction and emotional journey after results
Ananya says she was in shock when she first saw the score. She expected around 97–98% but scored 99.2% and rechecked the result 3–4 times to be sure. That mix of surprise and relief is common among toppers.
Family support was central to her emotional resilience. Parents who back your choices—academic or sporting—make it easier to focus and recover from setbacks.
Study strategy: CBSE 10th topper Ananya Bhutada 99.2% NCERT-first approach and the RRR formula
Ananya kept NCERT at the core. She says she never moved on from a topic until she understood it fully. That’s the most practical advice: master the NCERT explanation before looking elsewhere.
Her father emphasised the RRR formula—Read, Revise, Recall. Here’s how to use it practically:
- Read: Go through the NCERT chapter once for concept clarity. Underline definitions and theorems.
- Revise: Revisit chapters every 3–5 days. Do a shorter revision every week and a full revision before exams.
- Recall: Close the book and write or speak the key points from memory. Use short self-quizzes or flashcards.
Use underlining and very short notes on the margins. For Maths, practise problems till you can do them mentally when possible—Ananya enjoys mental math.
Routine and time management: balancing tennis, fitness and studies
Ananya’s routine mixed tennis, fitness and study with sleep as a non-negotiable. She didn’t follow a rigid clock-based schedule but focused on consistent daily blocks of work and rest. That approach is easier to maintain than a strict hourly timetable.
Here’s a compact table that shows her daily priorities and why each matters:
| Activity | Typical time | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Tennis practice | Morning/evening (daily) | Physical exercise boosts concentration and reduces stress |
| Study (NCERT focus) | Main daytime blocks | Concept clarity and exam-aligned practice |
| Fitness training | Short daily sessions | Keeps energy and sleep quality high |
| Entertainment | ~ 45 minutes TV | Short breaks prevent burnout |
| Sleep | 8 hours | Memory consolidation and recovery |
Sample daily timetable (practical template for students)
Use this template and edit it for school hours, coaching (if any) and competitions.
| Time | Activity | Focus / Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00–7:00 AM | Light workout/tennis warm-up | Use this for active recall of one quick topic (5–10 min) |
| 7:00–8:30 AM | School / travel / quick revision | Revise notes or solve 1 problem per subject |
| 9:00–12:00 PM | Focused study block | Deep NCERT study (Maths/Science) with 5–10 min breaks each hour |
| 12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch + rest | Avoid screens; short walk if possible |
| 1:00–3:00 PM | School/homework / weaker subject practice | Use this for Marathi practice if needed |
| 3:30–5:30 PM | Tennis practice / fitness | Active recovery; no heavy academics immediately after |
| 6:00–8:00 PM | Revision block | Quick recall (RRR), practice past-year questions |
| 8:00–8:45 PM | Dinner + light TV (~45 mins) | Mental reset |
| 9:30–10:30 PM | Light revision / read NCERT | Wind down with low-stress revision |
| 10:30 PM | Sleep (aim for 8 hours) | Consistency matters more than late-night studying |
Adjust this timetable around school or tournament days. On match days, cut the hardest study block and keep short, focused revision sessions.
Handling weak subjects: Marathi case study
Marathi was Ananya’s weakest link. She fixed it through short, targeted lessons with her teacher, Mrs. Sujata Jadhav. The approach was simple and repeatable:
- Diagnose specific gaps (grammar, writing answers, comprehension).
- Ask for focused lessons on those areas rather than full-length classes.
- Practice past paper questions and get one answer sheet checked each week.
If you struggle in any language or subject, ask for 20–30 minute targeted sessions. Practice active writing and timed answers until you build speed and confidence.
Resources: NCERT and sensible additional references
Ananya calls NCERT the foundation. She did refer to some extra books but relied on NCERT for concepts and board-style language. Use additional resources selectively:
- NCERT textbooks (all subjects) — your primary resource.
- CBSE Exemplar problems — for conceptual questions and higher-order thinking.
- Past Year Question Papers (PYQs) — to understand question patterns and marking.
- A concise workbook for practice problems in Maths and Science.
Avoid collecting many reference books. Pick one or two supplementary books aligned to CBSE syllabus and practise plenty of exemplar and PYQ questions.
Study tips distilled: actionable advice to aim for 95%+
- Keep it simple: finish NCERT thoroughly and underline key lines. Use concise margin notes.
- Daily micro-revision: 10–20 minutes of spaced recall for each subject every other day.
- Error log: maintain a small notebook of mistakes and revisit weekly.
- Mock tests: attempt full-length timed papers at least three times before finals.
- Clean presentation: write legibly and practise answer structuring for language and social science papers.
For Mathematics, practise the same problems until you can solve variants quickly. Mental math drills help speed in objective parts.
Preparing for future exams while pursuing other goals (NEET + tennis)
Ananya is preparing for NEET while continuing tennis practice. Balance here is about prioritising high-yield study and breaking NEET topics into short daily bursts. Tips that work:
- Integrate board-level Biology and Chemistry NCERT into NEET study—boards overlap heavily with NEET basics.
- Use weekends for longer NEET practice sessions when tournament schedules allow.
- Keep a weekly planner that marks fixed tennis commitments and reserves blocks for NEET topics.
Parental support was crucial—Ananya’s father adjusted work to manage schedules. If family help is limited, structure study into micro-sessions you can do between practice and school.
What’s missing from the interview — gaps and how you can fill them
The interview leaves out some useful details: subject-wise marks, exact study hours per subject, names of additional reference books, and school/board centre details. You can fill those gaps with simple tools:
| Missing detail | How to fill it (practical action) |
|---|---|
| Subject-wise marks | Keep your own topic tracker and mark weekly progress tests |
| Exact hours per subject | Maintain a weekly hours tracker; aim for consistency, not extremes |
| Additional book names | Prefer exemplar books, one workbook per subject and PYQs |
| School/board specifics | Confirm your exam centre rules early; practise under similar conditions |
Mini-templates to use: a subject-wise revision checklist and a topic-priority matrix (High/Medium/Low priority). That gives structure when interviews leave details out.
Quick checklist before exams (printable action list)
- NCERT: All chapters read and underlined.
- Revision: At least 3 full-syllabus timed revisions completed.
- PYQs: Last 5 years of CBSE papers attempted and analysed.
- Error log: Common mistakes corrected and re-tested.
- Health: At least 8 hours sleep nightly and short daily exercise.
- Calm routine: Short entertainment breaks (~ 45 minutes ) to avoid burnout.
FAQs based on the interview
Q: Did Ananya take online or offline coaching?
A: No. She did not take any online or offline coaching and relied on parents and teachers for guidance.
Q: Was NCERT enough for her board preparation?
A: NCERT was the foundation. She studied NCERT thoroughly and used a few additional books selectively.
Q: Which subject was most challenging and how did she overcome it?
A: Marathi was most challenging. Regular targeted lessons with Mrs. Sujata Jadhav and focused practice helped her improve.
Q: How did she react when she saw her 99.2% result?
A: She was shocked and overjoyed, and rechecked the result 3–4 times .
Q: What daily routine helped her balance tennis and studies?
A: Daily tennis practice, fitness training, focused study blocks, ~ 45 minutes TV as a break, and 8 hours sleep.
Q: What study formula does she recommend?
A: The RRR formula—Read, Revise, Recall.
Q: Is it possible to prepare for NEET while playing competitive sports?
A: Yes. Prioritise high-yield study, break topics into short daily sessions, and use weekends for longer practice when possible.
Q: Any final tips for CBSE Class 10 aspirants?
A: Keep it simple. Finish NCERT, underline key points, use RRR, stay active and consistent.
Closing: key lessons from Ananya’s journey for CBSE 2027 aspirants
Consistency beat cramming in Ananya’s case. NCERT-first preparation, focused revision with the RRR method, and a health-first routine—including 8 hours sleep and daily tennis—were the pillars of her success.
If you want to aim for 95% or higher, use NCERT as the backbone, practise past-year papers, manage weak subjects with short targeted lessons, and protect your sleep and fitness. Read, Revise, Recall. Keep it simple and steady.