Journey of Ms. Anuradha Handa – Founder Principal, GD Goenka Public School, Sector 48, Gurugram

When GD Goenka Public School, Sector 48, Gurugram opened in 2013, it marked the beginning of a transformative educational movement under the leadership of its Founder Principal, Ms. Anuradha Handa. With over three decades of experience, she is known for redefining schooling through a child-centric, evidence-driven, and future-ready approach.

A Postgraduate in Physics from Delhi University, Ms. Handa began her career at Modern School, Vasant Vihar, where she spent 16 years and headed the Physics Department. Her leadership journey continued at Amity International School Noida and Gurugram, and later at Apeejay School, Saket, where she contributed significantly to academic excellence.

In 2012, she took on the responsibility of establishing GD Goenka Public School, Sector 48, with a vision to create a school that nurtures life—not just livelihoods. Under her guidance, the school moved beyond traditional textbook-centric learning and adopted a student-centric philosophy rooted in wellbeing, inquiry, and holistic growth.

Her visionary work led to several flagship programmes such as the Centre of Excellence Program (COEP), I Discover Me (IDM), and Integrated Creative Learning (ICL)—all widely recognised and applauded nationally and internationally. Her leadership attracted national and international attention, leading to selection by FICCI ARISE as one of the top schools in Delhi NCR for showcasing best practices in skills, competencies, values, and student-led curriculum design. A delegation of Australian school leaders, representing institutions with over a century of history, visited the school to study its best practices and described the school as spellbinding and a model for student autonomy, curriculum design, and values-driven learning.

Ms Handa’s work has earned her the title of Leader of the Year, awarded consecutively across the GD Goenka Group’s 150+ schools. She is a certified IC3 Career Counsellor, a respected CBSE Resource Person, and features as an Education Evangelist of India in a spotlight series on Forbes India—a testimony to her national influence and enduring impact. Under her leadership, the school has been recognised as the No.1 School among leader schools of Gurgaon by the Times School Survey.

At the heart of Ms Handa’s leadership lies an unwavering commitment to nurturing happy, grounded, curious, empathetic, and future-ready individuals. Her students learn to think scientifically, respond empathetically, act responsibly, and engage confidently with an unpredictable world.

Through her visionary systems, pioneering programmes, and deeply human approach, Ms Handa has built a school where global perspectives meet Indian values, where innovation harmonises with integrity, and where children truly learn to Thrive. For life.

Vision and Core Philosophy of GD Goenka Sector 48

The school’s vision is to build a learning community where intellectual rigour is complemented by strong human values. Its core philosophy centres around nurturing clarity of thought, courage to question, and responsible inquiry.

GD Goenka Sector 48 follows a child centric and interdisciplinary approach, ensuring real-world relevance in every lesson. Learners are encouraged to explore, hypothesise, test, and reflect—resulting in deep, durable, and transferable understanding.

What Makes GD Goenka Sector 48 Stand Out

GD Goenka Sector 48 distinguishes itself through its progressive curriculum architecture and innovative instructional design. The school integrates inquiry-based learning, cross-disciplinary problem-solving, and authentic assessments that go beyond rote learning.

Ranked No. 1 in the Gurugram Leaders Category by the Times School Survey, the school continues to be recognised for its academic excellence, innovative practices, and holistic development ecosystem. Its commitment to nurturing independent thinkers who engage with complexity sets it apart from other institutions.

Balancing Academics with Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Growth

The school’s curriculum is intentionally balanced and multi-dimensional. Academic rigour is complemented with structured programmes in sports, performing arts, design thinking, life skills, and community service.

A thoughtfully planned timetable ensures equal space for cognitive, physical, and creative growth. Its assessment framework values process as much as performance, fostering confidence, collaboration, and personal discovery.

Preparing Students for the 21st-Century World

GD Goenka Sector 48 prepares learners for the future by building competencies that go beyond textbook knowledge. Students engage in:

• Project-based learning
  
• Blended and digital learning
  
• Socratic dialogues
  
• Maker-space explorations
  
• Design thinking, coding, financial literacy, and global citizenship modules
  
  

The school strongly promotes metacognitive awareness, helping learners understand how they learn. Real-world contexts, research-based thinking, and hands-on experiences help students develop analytical, creative, and problem-solving skills.

Technology and Innovation in the Learning Process

Technology at GD Goenka Sector 48 is integrated thoughtfully to enhance thinking, personalise learning, and expand access to modern knowledge.

The school offers:

• Robotics and STEM labs
  
• Coding platforms
  
• Digital tools for simulations, research, collaboration, and assessments
  
  

The focus remains on meaningful integration, ensuring that technology strengthens cognitive depth rather than replacing genuine learning experiences.

Role of Parents in the Learning Journey

Parents play an essential role in the school’s educational ecosystem. GD Goenka Sector 48 fosters a collaborative triad between parents, teachers, and students.

Through orientations, workshops, exhibitions, and feedback dialogues, the school ensures transparency and shared understanding. This partnership enables parents to meaningfully support their child’s learning journey and growth.

Key Achievements in Academics, Sports, and Co-Scholastic Domains

GD Goenka Sector 48 continues to achieve excellence across multiple domains.

Sports Achievements

Students have represented the school at the National Level in:

• Swimming
  
• Taekwondo
  
• Table Tennis
  
• Badminton
  
• Roller Skating & Inline Hockey
  
  

Key highlights include:

• Yahv Yadav (Grade IX) — 15th National Ranking (U-13 Badminton)
  
• Kabir Rana (Kindergarten) — Youngest Player Award at Gurugram District Chess Championship 2025
  
  

Literary, Tech & Cultural Achievements

Students regularly secure top honours across MUNs, business summits, tech competitions, and creative festivals.

• Overall Winner Trophy at Xavitas MUN
  
• 2nd place at Blue Bells Business Summit
  
• 3 students selected for Hero MotoCorp Young Innovators Program 2025 (out of 700 applicants)
  
• Runners-up at Comm Tech Parv, DPS 45
  
• Awards for sustainable behaviour initiatives with GoSharpener
  
  

Academic Achievements

The school’s board results reflect the strength of its pedagogy:

• Grade X School Average: 83.3%
  
• Grade XII School Average: 82.4%
  
• 100% First Division
  
  

Toppers include:

• Amaira Goel (X) — 98.2%
  
• Trisha Gupta & Mehak Gupta (XII) — 97.2%
  
  

Higher Education Placements

Students have secured admissions into premier Indian and international institutions:

• IIT Kanpur
  
• IIM Rohtak
  
• JSS Medical College
  
• Ashoka, Plaksha, Thapar, Manipal, Symbiosis
  
• Delhi University (LSR, JMC, Kirori Mal)
  
• University of Warwick, Regent’s College UK, University of Melbourne, RMIT Australia
  
  

Alumni Success

Alumni are excelling globally at:

• JPMorgan Chase
  
• Goldman Sachs
  
• HSBC
  
• Boston Consulting Group
  
• Lenovo
  
• Bulgari
  
• Accenture
  
• Wells Fargo
  
• Arizona State University
  
  

Others are successfully running startups and digital ventures in fintech, food, events, and content creation.

Vision for the Next 5 Years

GD Goenka Sector 48 aims to deepen its research-driven approach, strengthen interdisciplinary pathways, and expand its innovation ecosystem.

Key priorities include:

• Enhanced global collaborations
  
• Stronger experiential learning platforms
  
• Advanced teacher development programmes
  
• Continued focus on ethical, critical, and creative thinking
  
  

The goal is to remain a benchmark school where curriculum evolves with global trends and empowers learners to explore infinite possibilities.

Message for Parents Considering Admission

Choosing GD Goenka Sector 48 means choosing an education where meaningful education goes far beyond marks, milestones and mandates. What distinguishes this school is a philosophy rooted in evidence-based thinking, a deep respect for every learner, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing capable, compassionate and future-ready individuals.

Here, learners are placed at the centre of every decision. Parents choosing this school choose a future where children not only adapt to change—but confidently shape it with creativity, wisdom, and conviction.