LUCKNOW, May 13 -- While toppers credited their teachers for providing constant guidance and helping them excel, many said the intelligent use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools also contributed to their success. Keeping pace with changing times, students said regular classes helped them understand concepts and clear doubts, while AI tools assisted with time management, data analysis and generating mock question papers.

Aditi Mishra, a PCM (physics, chemistry and mathematics) student of Rani Laxmi Bai Memorial School (Sector 14, Vikas Nagar), who secured 99.2%, said she simultaneously prepared for her board examinations and NEET-UG, making her schedule hectic.

"I was on social media throughout the year, but whenever I felt distracted...