Start early and stay consistent; CUET-UG 2025 AIR 1 holder Ananaya Jain shares success tips

Ananaya Jain from Ludhiana, who topped the CUET-UG 2025 with an All India Rank 1, believes that success in competitive exams lies not in long study hours but in consistent, focused preparation. 

Ananaya’s  journey began when she realised her deep desire to study economics further from the first time she was introduced to the subject. Speaking about her journey, Ananaya emphasised structured planning, early preparation, and a balanced lifestyle as the core of her strategy.

In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Ananaya opened up about her study strategies, sources of motivation, and the role of consistent effort over years of preparation. Her success, she insists, is built not on momentary brilliance but on steady, deliberate progress.

“Seeing AIR 1 next to my name was surreal”

Ananaya never imagined topping the exam. “More than a surprise, it was a complete shock. I never aimed for AIR 1. I was mentally preparing for the worst-case scenarios, constantly reminding myself that even if the exam was extremely difficult, I had to get through it to get into a good college. When the results came, the moment felt overwhelming and unreal,”said Ananaya.

Three Years of Steady Preparation

Ananaya’s  preparation for CUET, especially for English, began nearly three years ago. She credits her strong vocabulary and command over grammar to reading novels, solving competitive books, and using online tools. For other subjects, NCERT textbooks were her go-to.
 “I treated every school test like a CUET mock exam. Once you know your goal, start preparing, there’s no such thing as too early,” she advises.

Not About Long Hours, But Smart, Consistent Study

Unlike what many believe about toppers clocking 12-hour study days, Ananaya’s routine was more balanced.  “My average study time was around seven hours a day, sometimes even less. After my board exams, I focused more on CUET, took mock tests, and joined an offline crash course one month before the exam. That helped me realise my gaps and push harder,” she said.

A Mother’s Support, A Family’s Strength

The person Ananaya credits most is her mother. A former BAMS practitioner, her mother stepped away from her medical career to raise Ananaya and her brother. 

“She’s been my biggest inspiration. She encouraged me to be curious, to chase my dreams. Her belief in me kept me going,” said Ananaya.
Staying Grounded, Staying Sane

Ananaya remained moderately active on social media until the final stretch. 

According to Ananaya, it’s okay to unwind and stay connected with friends, but your priorities must be clear. “I went offline in the last month to maintain full focus. That last month was the most testing. Revision fatigue set in. It was hard to stay motivated. I leaned on my family and turned to painting, Kathak, and movies to relax,”she added.

What’s Next? A Future in Economics

With admission into Delhi University’s sought-after Economics Honours programme as her next step, Ananaya is excited to explore the subject in depth. “I haven’t fixed a career path yet, but I know I want to build something meaningful in the field of economics.”

Advice to CUET 2026 Aspirants

Ananaya’s  message to aspirants is to stay grounded and be practical: “Start early, stay regular, work hard, and be consistent. For English, go beyond the Class 12 syllabus—start reading