Merit, discipline and hard work are the drivers of success, says the KEA executive

Students who excelled in JEE Main and JEE Advanced and secured admission in IITs and NITs were felicitated at Sri Channabasaveshwara Gurukul Science PU College at Karadyal in Bhalki taluk of Bidar district. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Executive Director H. Prasanna Kumar on Saturday urged students to strive for discipline, perseverance and merit as the cornerstones of academic success, asserting that success in competitive examinations and admission to premier institutions is determined by persistent hard work and a positive mindset.

He was addressing a felicitation program at Sri Channabasaveshwara Gurukul Science PU College at Karadyal in Bhalki taluk of Bidar district where students who excelled in JEE Main and JEE Advanced and secured admission to IITs and NITs were felicitated.

Mr. Kumar said that persistent hard work is the only way to excel in competitive exams and secure admission in premier institutions like IITs and NITs.

He found that financial resources or ownership of educational institutions alone cannot guarantee admission to a preferred college or course. “Students have to earn their seats on merit by performing well in competitive exams and qualifying through the counseling process,” he said.

Mr. Kumar urged the students to cultivate positive thinking and avoid negative thinking. He noted that two years of dedicated preparation can turn an ordinary student into an extraordinary achiever.

“God has given everyone the same potential. Those who work harder achieve more, while those who put in less effort are likely to fall behind,” he said, stressing that persistence and determination are determinants of academic success.

He also appreciated the Gurukul institution for providing value based education, discipline and conducive learning environment and said that such atmosphere plays a significant role in molding the students into successful individuals.

Mr. Kumar congratulated the students on their achievements and encouraged them to continue to strive for excellence and make the most of the opportunities they have earned through their hard work.

Hiremath seer Guru Basava Pattaddevaru attributed the educational transformation of the region to the vision and unwavering determination of his guru Basavalinga Pattaddevaru, whose efforts laid the foundations of quality education in an area that had long remained educationally backward.

He recalled that Pattaddevaru aspired to become a teacher, but his spirit of service, humility and leadership led Channabasava Pattaddevaru to appoint him as head of the Hiremath Institution, enabling him to serve society through education as well as spiritual guidance.

Highlighting the educational philosophy of the institution, Gurubasava Pattaddevaru said the Gurukul nurtures talent by combining academic rigor with mentorship, discipline and values, which helps students excel in competitive exams like JEE and NEET. He thanked the faculty of the institution for creating an environment where students can realize their potential and urged the youth to complement academic success with integrity, character and determination to lead a meaningful life.

Published – 25 Jul 2026 23:34 IST