Balance, not burnout: CUET topper Devina Gahlot's mantra

New Delhi: Devina Gahlot, who has emerged as the CUET UG 2026 topper after securing an All India Rank 1, did not withdraw herself from the world to focus only on studies. Instead, she created a fine balance.

“I believe it is about creating a balance in everything,” she said.

“Some people don’t take breaks between study sessions, or turn off their social media and lock up their phones for months, and it might work for them, but not for me. I felt isolated and stuck.”

She went against the most common advice that is given to a student - 'good marks are only the outcome of complete withdrawal'.

CUET is not like Boards

Devina, a DPS Vasant Vihar student, scored 98% in her boards, and then topped CUET UG.

After such a high score in boards, students tend to believe that competitive exams would be easy. Initially she believed it too.

Devina Gahlot served as the Head Girl of DPS, Vasant Kunj 

“People think that if you are once done with boards and have scored well, then you are also done for CUET. It is not true because it hasa different pattern,” said Devina, whose father Kailash Gahlot is a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bijwasan constituency and has served as Minister of Transport and Environment in the Delhi government.

“At first I also felt that [it will be easy], but when I started attempting the mock tests, I was not scoring very well, or 100s. It is different from boards.”

She also said that she did not go to a coaching centre.

“I did not feel the need to go to any coaching centre or tuition. I studied myself. During my boards I think I covered 90% of the syllabus and the 10% is to understand the pattern,” she explained further.

For the boards, and the basics she credits her teachers at DPS, and for her CUET exams, she believes the Oswal books are best for practicing previous years' questions.

Devina is targeting St. Stephen’s College, is drawn towards its English literature course.

“Yes I am aiming for St. Stephen’s college, because I have heard they have a really good English course,” she said when asked about her college preference.

“I am interested in literature and might pursue journalism in future and I write and have also written a few articles."

The attention she got following the result hasn't fully landed.

“This is a very new experience for me, the attention is overwhelming. Tt had not even sunk in till yesterday.”

Tags : Devina Gahlot, CUET, Kailash Gahlot, topper, education, english literature