The recent results of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025 Session 1 arrived at a serendipitous moment for Sai Manogna Guthikonda — as if the universe had carefully planned this victory as the perfect birthday gift!

This year, more than 12 lakh candidates took the examination, and 17-year-old Sai Manogna stood out as the only girl among the 14 top scorers nationwide to achieve a 100 percentile — a remarkable feat indeed.

When the results were announced, Sai Manogna’s name echoed with triumph across Andhra Pradesh, bringing not just joy but a whirlwind of media attention and invitations, including the proud moment of meeting the state’s Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu.

Yet, when the camera flashes dim, it’s vital to peek behind the curtains of success.

Just a couple of months ago, the young girl sat at her study desk, books scattered around, feeling the weight of the impending JEE Mains examinations.

Despite her rigorous preparation and previous excellent performances in mock tests, the anxiety of expectations became overwhelming. Nights spent revising formulas, intertwined with brief moments of doubt, had become a daily routine.

But within the sanctuary of their home, her mother, Padmaja Guthikonda, recognised that the pressure had become unbearable for Sai Manogna. She made it her mission to turn their household into a space of support and encouragement.

“Since childhood, she always aimed to do her best, and before the Main exam, there was a lot of pressure. There were times when she felt frustrated because all this can be very overwhelming. She is, after all, just a........

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