New Delhi: University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) has announced the winners of the 2010 Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards in India.

Twenty-one academically gifted students in India have come top in the world in their Cambridge international examinations.

The awards celebrate the outstanding results of students in the November 2009 and June 2010 Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and International A/AS Level examination session.

In total, 104 students from across India will receive Cambridge Outstanding Learner award certificates from CIE. Many schools will hold events to celebrate their winners.

The award categories are - Top in the World (individual subjects), Top in India (individual subjects), Top in India across any seven Cambridge IGCSEs and Top in India across any three Cambridge A or AS Levels, and High Achievement.

Ian Chambers, CIE Regional Manager for South Asia, said, 'I am very proud to congratulate students across the country on their outstanding results in the Cambridge examinations. This year a truly impressive number of students in India, twenty-one, achieved Top in the World in their subjects. Schools and students in India excel every year, and work extremely hard to achieve their good grades.

'Cambridge qualifications develop independent learners, and prepare students for success in their further studies and beyond. These students have a bright future ahead of them, and I wish them well.'

Elated Cambridge students in India spoke to CIE on the day they received their June 2010 results. Many said their high grades are due to the quality of teaching they had received, the support of their family and friends, as well as their own hard work and commitment to studies.

Rajit Kinra, a World Topper from G.D. Goenka World School said, "Mathematics is a subject I have always liked. The past two years have been a roller coaster ride in the field of Maths. When I started the IGCSE Program, I felt quite at home. I was very comfortable with the contents of the Maths IGCSE Syllabus."

He further added, "All along, I listened to whatever was being said in class and a little extra work at home helped me to achieve what I have achieved today. After I got my marks, neither of my parents believed the fact that I had got a perfect score in Maths and even right now they ask me if I am the same person who gave the examinations. Work exactly how much you need to - all along and take it easy during the exams is my mantra!"

CIE has seen an impressive growth in entries for the June 2010 exam session. Worldwide entries for CIE qualifications in June 2010 rose by 15% on the same session last year. Entries for Cambridge International AS/A Levels grew by 16%, and entries for Cambridge IGCSE - the most popular international curriculum in the world - rose by nearly 20%.