In a modest village tucked away in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-affected Paralkot region, a young girl has emerged as an extraordinary symbol of courage, determination, and brilliance. Meet Ishika Bala, a 17-year-old from PV-51 village in the Gundahur area of the Kanker district, who overcame blood cancer and the odds stacked against her to top the Chhattisgarh Class 10 board exams in 2025 with an astounding 99.17%.

Her story is not just a tale of academic excellence—it's a portrait of a warrior who refused to let her circumstances define her destiny.

A Life-Changing Diagnosis

In 2023, Ishika was just like thousands of other Class 10 students across India—busy preparing for board exams, hopeful about her future, and passionate about learning. But one visit to the doctor changed everything. She was diagnosed with blood cancer, and her life took a drastic turn.

While her peers were attending school and tuitions, Ishika began a grueling medical journey—marked by chemotherapy, blood tests, and hospital stays. Her books gathered dust as she battled fatigue, pain, and the emotional toll of a disease that threatens not just the body, but the spirit.

“I thought I might not be able to study again,” Ishika said quietly during a recent interview. “But I didn’t give up. I had faith in myself.”

This unwavering self-belief would become the bedrock of her miraculous comeback.

A Daughter of the Soil

Ishika’s background makes her achievement all the more awe-inspiring. Her father, Shankar Bala, is a small-scale farmer. Their home, PV-51 village, lies in the remote Pakhanjore block, where access to education is limited, and the threat of Maoist insurgency shadows everyday life. Infrastructure is poor, internet connectivity is patchy, and educational resources are minimal.

Yet even as a young child, Ishika stood out. She was a curious learner, a consistent topper, and a girl with big dreams. Her ambition? To become an IAS officer—a prestigious, high-ranking civil servant role in India. While others doubted, she dared to dream.

“She always said she wanted to serve the country,” her father proudly shared. “Even after her diagnosis, she never let go of that dream.”

The Battle Begins

Ishika’s treatment began at a private hospital in Raipur and later continued at the Balco Medical Centre in Nava Raipur—one of the state’s leading cancer treatment facilities. The months that followed were filled with physical weakness and emotional highs and lows. Chemotherapy ravaged her body. She lost her hair, strength, and sometimes hope—but never her purpose.

Surrounded by white hospital walls instead of blackboards, she clung to her textbooks, reading them between medical sessions. She would often study lying in a hospital bed, her notebook resting on her lap as IV fluids dripped into her arm.

Unlike many of her classmates, she had no tutors or structured classes. But she had something more substantial—grit and a relentless desire to continue learning.

Missing the 2023 Board Exams

As her condition deteriorated, it became clear that she would not be able to take the board exams in 2023. For any student, missing the Class 10 exam—considered a significant academic milestone in India—can feel like the end of the road.

But for Ishika, it was merely a detour.

She continued to recover and rebuild herself. By the end of 2023, her cancer was in remission. And by early 2024, she was back to studying—more focused than ever.

“I had lost one year, but I didn’t lose my hope,” she says.

A Stunning Comeback

When the Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) announced the 2025 Class 10 results, few expected the name of a girl from a tiny village in a conflict zone to appear at the top.

But there it was: Ishika Bala – 99.17%.

She shared the first position with Naman Kumar Khuntia from Jashpur, but her story instantly captured the hearts of millions. The entire PV-51 village erupted in celebration—people who had seen Ishika fight her most brutal battle now saw her reap the rewards of perseverance.

“She didn’t just pass; she topped the state,” her school principal exclaimed. “She’s not just an inspiration—she’s a revolution.”

A Role Model for Rural India

In a country where education for girls, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas, is still fraught with challenges, Ishika has become a beacon of possibility. Her story is not just about personal victory—it’s about systemic change.

Local officials, educators, and NGOs are now rallying around her, calling her a role model for students in marginalized communities.

In classrooms across Chhattisgarh and beyond, her name is being invoked to inspire students battling illness, poverty, discrimination, and social pressure.

Looking Ahead: IAS Dreams & Engineering Goals

Now cancer-free and under regular health supervision, Ishika has chosen to pursue Mathematics in Class 11—a subject she loves for its logic and clarity. She plans to prepare for engineering entrance exams, but her ultimate goal remains unchanged: to become an IAS officer and work for social upliftment.

“I want to become an IAS officer so I can serve my people and inspire other girls like me,” she says with a quiet but firm conviction.

She knows the UPSC exam—India’s most challenging civil service exam—won’t be easy. But she also knows that few challenges will be more demanding than the ones she has already conquered.

Why Ishika’s Story Matters

In the age of viral content and superficial success stories, Ishika Bala’s journey cuts through the noise. It’s a story that demands to be heard, shared, and celebrated.

It redefines what success means.

For Ishika, success isn’t just about a rank—it’s about the resilience to rise after life knocks you down.

It breaks stereotypes.

A girl from a Naxal-affected tribal region in rural India, topping a state exam after fighting cancer? That’s not just unusual—it’s transformational.

It offers hope.

To every child battling illness and girl told her dreams are too big, Ishika’s story says: “Yes, you can.”

A Message to the World

Ishika’s story is more than a personal triumph. It’s a call to action.

It’s a reminder that educational dreams can flourish anywhere—even in the shadow of illness or forgotten villages.

It’s a call to invest in education, healthcare, and opportunities for rural children, especially girls.

And above all, it’s a message of belief.

“Don’t stop believing in yourself, no matter how hard life gets,” she says.

Final Thoughts

When life tried to silence her, Ishika Bala responded with strength, humility, and brilliance. She is not just a student or a survivor—she is a symbol of hope.

In her, millions of children across India—and the world—will see a reflection of their own struggles and the power to overcome them.

She is not just the 2025 Chhattisgarh state topper.

She is a movement.