Focus on personal attention, early prep drive Avanti’s success: Nishikant Singh

Hubballi

In the competitive field of Pre-University (PU) education in Karnataka, Avanti is building one of North Karnataka's most credible ecosystems for PU CET, NEET, and JEE preparation through academic partnerships, disciplined systems, and consistent outcomes. The institute carves out a niche by blending rigorous academic discipline with a personalized counselling approach. Nishikant Singh, the Academic Head at Avanti and an IIT Roorkee alumnus, speaks about the institution’s strategy, the "merit" debate, and why parents are rushing to block seats even before board results are out.

There are numerous PU colleges in the region. How does Avanti distinguish itself?
Nishikant Singh: The primary difference lies in our timeline. While many colleges wait until the second year to intensify coaching, we focus on competitive exams like JEE and NEET from day one. This includes rigorous testing, specialized tuitions, and dedicated study hours. Beyond academics, our "personal attention" model is vital. We don’t just teach and leave; we monitor students during classes to see who is struggling or "lost." If a student isn't following, we engage in one-on-one counseling sessions immediately after class.

With batches of 150 to 200 students, how is individual attention practically possible?
Nishikant Singh: It is statistically impossible to talk to every student every day, but we use a "red flag" system. By assigning daily tasks and reviewing homework, we identify who couldn't solve a problem. If a student is already excelling, we push them further, but our primary focus shifts to those who are struggling. Every day, a different child might need that extra push, and we identify them through their test scores and classroom participation.

Board exams often bring immense stress. What is your support system for students facing academic or mental pressure?
Nishikant Singh: We counsel them to understand that while processes matter, marks are not everything. We conduct "remedial measures" after every single test. If a student’s preparation is weak in specific chapters, we hold dedicated sessions to bridge those gaps. Consistency is key; you cannot wait until the end of the year to address stress or academic weaknesses.

The college has seen strong results this year. What specific strategies contributed to this?
Nishikant Singh: Every year, we perform a deep dive into our data. We analyze the number of tests, the duration between them, and whether the syllabus was finished on time. This year, we stressed the transition between JEE and Board exams. After the January JEE session, we ensured every student immediately pivoted back to the Board format. We focused heavily on the "marking scheme"—ensuring students write the specific points required to score full marks, even if they already understood the core concept.

A common allegation suggests that top colleges only admit 90% scorers to "guarantee" 100% results. Do you admit students with lower percentages?
Nishikant Singh: We absolutely do. While screening is necessary due to limited seats, it shouldn't take away the right to education. We have many students who joined with 70% or 72% and are now doing exceptionally well in NEET. In fact, we have a student who scored 49% in his 10th grade. He showed a genuine interest in learning, and through our system, he secured 83% in his second PUC. If a student is interested, there is always room for improvement, regardless of their past scores.

Avanti is known for its 'collaborative academic model' in this region. How exactly does this partnership with local PU colleges help students balance board exams with the intense pressure of JEE and NEET?
Nishikant Singh: In Hubballi-Dharwad, we have developed a collaborative model that operates in strategic partnership with established institutions to align board preparation with competitive exam readiness. This model currently operates in association with  KLE Society's Prerana Residential PU Science College, Hubballi, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara (JSS) PU Science College, Dharwad, Mangaluru Independent PU College, Hubballi
Across these campuses, we have eliminated the need for separate coaching. Students are prepared for PU Board examinations, Karnataka CET, NEET, and JEE (Main & Advanced) within a single, integrated academic framework.

Why should a parent choose this institute over the many other available options?
Nishikant Singh: We balance discipline with flexibility, listening to students and adapting to their learning styles. By supporting them as individuals—not just results-driven learners—and combining this with IIT-level academic rigor, we create a personalized, effective learning environment.