Meet Ajish Sekar, Tamil Nadu’s CBSE Class 12 topper

Chennai student Ajish Sekar has managed to top the CBSE Class 12 board examination in Tamil Nadu, a state in which historically girls have performed far better than boys.

Ajish scored 495 or 99% out of 500 and got full marks in this year’s notoriously difficult mathematics paper, he also managed to get 99 in physics, chemistry and computer science exams, and 98 in English.

“I’m ecstatic,” the 17-year-old from PSBB Senior Secondary School in KK Nagar, who bagged the third rank in the country, says.

“I knew I was going to do well, but I didn’t expect this,” Ajish, clearly still a little fazed at how well he did in this year’s exams, beams.

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His mother Shanthi, whose broad smile hints at the excitement she feels, says he studies very hard. “But he also plays with his friends and is a fan of computer games - he commits to whatever he does 100%.”

“We were expecting something in the region of 485-490 marks. Not a national-level award!” explains his mother.

“I like physics the best. But I want to follow computer science, like my dad,” he says.

Ajish’s father Sekhar R, who is in Trichy, says he is confident that his son can achieve whatever he wants to.

“In fact, I’m supposed to deliver a lecture to Plus 12 students tomorrow about how to progress in their desired careers: I can use my son as an example now,” he laughs.

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But thoughts of relaxing and how his parents should treat him are far from Ajish’ mind, however.

“I have an IAT exam tomorrow and another on the 25th. After that, I’ll go celebrate with my friends,” he says.