7-Year-Old Surat Chess Prodigy Honored by President Murmu

Surat | Gujarat — In a moment that resonated with national pride, seven-year-old chess sensation Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika was conferred with the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu. At a glittering ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, this Friday, the young champion from Surat was recognized for her extraordinary global achievements, receiving a medal, certificate, and a cash prize that cements her status as one of India’s brightest young stars.

Pragnika’s rise is nothing short of legendary. Earlier this year, she stunned the international chess community by clinching the Under-7 Girls title at the FIDE World Schools Chess Championship in Serbia. Dominating the field, she achieved a flawless 9/9 score, winning every single match. Notably, she set a world record by winning the title as a non-ranked player at just seven years of age, defeating a formidable Chinese opponent in the finals.

The journey began in a household where chess was merely a weekend hobby. Pragnika’s parents, Praveena and Ramanand Vaka, noticed their daughter’s spark when she was barely five years old.

“She used to play at home and beat everyone in the family by the age of five,” her parents recalled. “Recognizing that this wasn’t just luck, we decided to get her professional training.”

They enrolled her at the Bishop Brigade Academy in Vesu under the guidance of Coach Rohan Julka. Julka, a former Gujarat Ranji cricketer and university chess captain, saw the potential immediately.

“When her parents brought her to me, her intuition was incredible for a second-grade student,” says Coach Julka. “She would practice for three to four hours at home after academy sessions. When she defeated India’s National Champion in the knockout rounds, I knew the world title was within her reach.”

Preparing for the world stage meant traveling across the country—from Mumbai to Ahmedabad—to face diverse opponents. This rigorous schedule built the mental fortitude that allowed her to sweep the championship in Serbia.

“Winning in Serbia was a proud moment for any coach, but we aren’t stopping here,” Julka added. “My goal for her is to become the World’s Youngest Chess Champion. She has the technique and the mental sharpness to rewrite chess history.”

Despite the global fame, Pragnika remains a dedicated student at SD Jain School, balancing her homework with her daily three-hour practice sessions.