600 Class XII students feted at Times NIE Merit Awards 2026

Lucknow: Around 600 Class XII meritorious students from several city schools were felicitated at the Times NIE Merit Awards & Education Fair 2026 held at a private hotel on Friday.The event celebrated academic excellence and gave students an opportunity to explore higher education and career options through interactions with leading colleges and universities.President of the Unaided Private School Association, Anil Agarwal, was the chief guest.He congratulated the students and stressed the need for practical, skill-based education.“There is no substitute for hard work and honesty. The education system should focus more on real-life learning and industry-oriented courses instead of rote learning,” he said.Many students highlighted discipline, regular revision and time management as keys to strong performance in board examinations.Ishika Ratn of Lucknow Public Collegiate said: “Consistency is the key, and listening to teachers is the biggest asset during board preparation.” She added that balancing academics with extracurricular activities was one of her biggest challenges. Ishika said she aims to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.Ishan Sharma of Lucknow Public Collegiate advised students to stay focused and understand concepts clearly instead of relying on superficial learning.Vandita Upadhyaya of DPS Jankipuram said proper time management, classroom learning and effective use of CBSE study material played an important role in her success.Ashwary Sharma said students should focus on productive study hours, while Manal Saurabh encouraged students not to compare their journeys with others and to remain consistent in their efforts.