A Podar College student scored 97.17% in HSC 2026 while balancing board exams, competitive prep and recovery from shoulder surgery. A national-level gymnast, he shifted focus to studies after December and continued despite physical setbacks. He is now preparing for IPMAT, aiming to pursue management studies at leading IIMs.

Mumbai: For most Class 12 students, the Maharashtra HSC result marks the end of one demanding academic year. For Yajat Shinde, it came in the middle of something even more layered board exams, competitive entrance preparation, recovery from surgery, and years of national-level sport.

The student from R A Podar College of Commerce and Economics scored 97.17 per cent in the commerce stream in the Maharashtra HSC 2026 examination, a result he says he took in stride. “I feel happy, to be honest. I wasn’t calculating my marks. I wasn’t actually hoping for a certain percentage or anything like that,” Yajat said.

From the gymnastics mat to the examination hall

Yajat is not only a high-scoring commerce student. He is also a national medallist in gymnastics, a sport he has been practising for nearly 10 to 11 years.