From a child who once disliked school to a passionate principal shaping future generations, Karuna Nagpal’s career is a powerful story of transformation. With empathy, vision, and unwavering dedication, she has built more than a school—she’s built a community of compassion and growth.

Karuna Nagpal serves as the Principal of Aurobindo International School, Jaipur, a prestigious institution under the Maharishi Arvind Group—an education-focused organization with a legacy dating back to 1975. She joined the group in 2018 as the Founder Principal, playing a pivotal role in shaping the vision and foundation of the school.

What began as an institution offering classes only up to Grade 7 has, under her leadership, transformed into a full-fledged K–12 school. Today, Aurobindo International School caters to students from Play Group to Grade 12, offering a holistic and progressive learning environment that reflects the group's long-standing commitment to educational excellence.

As Principal, she oversees every aspect of the school with dedication and attention to detail. Karuna Nagpal firmly believes that parents should feel a deep sense of trust and satisfaction, knowing that the place where their child is growing, learning, and laying the foundation for a successful future is nurturing, safe, and well-guided.

At the heart of Aurobindo International School’s philosophy lies a strong commitment to building trust and instilling core values in students. According to her, the greatest strength—or the true USP—of the school is the unwavering faith that parents place in them, and the meaningful bond of trust they cultivate with every family.

Reflecting on her early years, Karuna Nagpal fondly shares that she was born and brought up in Jaipur. She began her academic career at SJ Public School, Jaipur, and later pursued her graduation in Chemistry Honours from Maharani College. However, she admits that during her school days, she wasn’t particularly fond of academics. In fact, like many children, she often dreaded the early mornings and would think to herself that once her schooling was over, she would finally be free from the routine of waking up early.

Ironically, today she finds herself in the field of education—waking up even earlier than before. But now, it’s not a burden; it’s her passion. She says it’s the love for her work and the joy of being with children that energizes her every morning. What once felt like a chore has now become a blessing she cherishes every day.

Principal of Aurobindo School Karuna Nagpal candidly admits that she was not an exceptional student in her early years. She was more drawn to sports and co-curricular activities than to textbooks. But everything changed when a few extraordinary teachers entered her life. Their guidance, care, and belief in her potential opened her eyes to the value of education. Among them, her science teacher had the most profound impact—igniting in her a passion for learning that would shape her future.

Inspired by her mentors, she pursued Chemistry Honours and began her teaching career quite early—while still in Grade 11. Even as a young student, she discovered that teaching brought her immense joy, and that passion only grew stronger with time.

Driven by her love for education and a desire to constantly evolve, she went on to earn multiple advanced degrees—Master Degrees in Education, English, and Psychology. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology, and she has also completed international certification courses like PGCTL to stay updated with global education practices.

She smiles as she shares how ironic and beautiful her path has been—the same girl who once disliked studying is now someone who can’t wait to learn more. “Whenever I finish one course,” she says, “I immediately start wondering—what can I study next?” Her career stands as a testament to how the right guidance and a spark of inspiration can truly transform a life.

Talking about her role models, Principal Karuna Nagpal shares that her science teacher—who sparked a turning point in her life—remains her greatest inspiration. She firmly believes that teachers are the first real influencers outside one’s family. While parents lay the foundation, it is often teachers who shape a child's mindset, values, and aspirations.

For her, the impact of her teachers has been profound. They not only transformed the direction of her academic path but continue to influence the way she lives, leads, and mentors the next generation. “Teachers, family, and parents have played an incredibly important role in my life,” she says with gratitude.

Yet, she believes that learning is not a destination—it’s a continuous journey. “Every person we meet in life teaches us something,” she reflects. Even today, when she steps into a classroom and interacts with students, she feels enriched. “Gen Z has so much to offer—they are sharp, updated, and full of fresh perspectives. They inspire me every day.”

Experiential learning advocate Karuna Nagpal humbly admits that she doesn’t consider herself someone who knows it all. Instead, she sees herself as a lifelong learner, constantly evolving, growing, and being inspired by the people—both young and old—who cross her path.

School Principal Karuna Nagpal firmly believes in two core philosophies that she often shares with her students. One of the most important lessons she emphasizes is: “No pain, no gain.” She explains to the children that without effort, one cannot achieve anything meaningful. Success demands hard work, dedication, and persistence.

She encourages every child—and every individual—to identify the passion that drives them. According to her, true passion is something that doesn’t require external motivation; it naturally pushes you to work hard and move forward. “Find that one thing that excites you so much,” she says, “that you don’t need to be forced to put in the effort—it just flows from within.”

She believes that when people align their lives with their passion, they don’t feel like they’re working. Instead, they feel like they’re truly living. In her words, “When we walk the path of our passion, life doesn’t feel like labor—it feels like fulfillment.”

She humbly shares that she feels truly blessed—God has been kind in guiding her path right from the very beginning. Throughout her journey, life presented her with numerous opportunities, and she moved forward gracefully, overcoming challenges with ease. That ease, she says, was not by chance but because of the incredible mentors, teachers, and role models who walked alongside her and helped shape the person she is today.

Even after reaching this point in her career, she has never forgotten the path she took to get here. Every experience, every struggle, and every learning moment holds great significance for her. She believes it’s important to remember the journey—not just the destination.

That’s why she makes it a personal mission to ensure that others, especially the younger generation, do not have to go through the same struggles she did. Drawing from her own experiences, she actively works to guide, support, and uplift those around her—helping them navigate their paths more smoothly.

At the same time, she acknowledges a universal truth: every difficulty in life is a learning opportunity. Each person faces different kinds of challenges, and everyone must learn to raise their threshold, adapt, and grow. “The key,” she says, “is to keep solving the problems that life throws at you and to keep moving forward.”

Principal of Aurobindo International School, Jaipur, Karuna Nagpal firmly believes that to truly make a difference in the field of teaching, one must possess a deep sense of empathy. According to her, it’s not just about teaching lessons—it's about understanding the real-life situations students face, recognizing their challenges, and connecting with them on a human level.

She points out that today’s generation often believes they already know everything, but in reality, they are still in the process of discovering themselves and the world around them. That’s where the role of educators and elders becomes crucial. “We must guide them gently, with empathy and patience,” she says. “It’s our responsibility to hold their hand, support them, and show them the right direction.”

She emphasizes that while students have immense potential and strong beliefs in their capabilities, they need the right guidance and direction to channel that energy effectively. For this, educators must work honestly, passionately, and with unwavering dedication.

In her words, “Being empathetic, understanding their world, and walking with them—not ahead of them—is the true essence of being an educator.”

As an educator and mentor, Karuna Nagpal deeply believes that while education plays a vital role in laying the foundation of our lives, it is our experiences that truly shape who we become.

She emphasizes that learning doesn’t happen only within the four walls of a classroom—real growth comes from the lessons we absorb through the path of life. “Every individual goes through unique experiences,” she says, “and it is these experiences that drive us forward, mold our thinking, and shape our character.”

According to her, the personality of an individual is a reflection of the experiences they’ve lived through. Education may give us knowledge and structure, but it is life itself—its ups and downs, successes and failures—that teaches us resilience, empathy, strength, and purpose.

Principal Karuna Nagpal offers a heartfelt piece of advice to today’s youth: whenever you try something new, do it with the intention of bringing that change to India, rather than only seeking it abroad. She acknowledges that while going to foreign countries may seem exciting—and often, people are impressed by what they see there—India too has immense potential, rich resources, and incredible opportunities that simply need to be recognized and enhanced.

She urges young minds to realize that true transformation doesn’t always lie in leaving the country, but in uplifting it. With our country’s vast population and vibrant youth force, meaningful change is not only possible—it’s powerful.

She strongly believes that the new generation should take it upon themselves to work towards building a “Shreshth Bharat”—a greater, stronger, and more empowered India.

Lastly, Principal Karuna Nagpal shares a heartfelt message for parents. She says that at Aurobindo International School, Jaipur, the academic standards are at par with any reputed school—they offer quality education, guided by the best of teachers, and fulfill the promises that every good institution makes.

But what truly sets the school apart, she explains, is their unwavering focus on value-based education and hands-on learning experiences. The goal is not just to teach from books but to create opportunities for children to learn by doing. Through experiential learning, students participate in field visits, industrial tours, and interactive sessions that make learning real and engaging.

What makes this approach even more unique is that the school also invites skilled professionals, including parents, to interact with students and share real-world knowledge. One such initiative includes imparting financial literacy to students—equipping them with essential life skills from a young age.

Aurobindo International School also places great emphasis on health and wellness. Every month, doctors are invited to conduct age-appropriate health sessions for each class, educating students on how to take care of their physical well-being, how to stay safe in society, and how to support those around them in times of need.

Principal Karuna Nagpal proudly shares that through these initiatives, the school is also nurturing psychological and emotional development in children. Students are taught to be empathetic, inclusive, and supportive—especially toward peers who may be facing physical or emotional challenges.

She highlights a beautiful example: “We have children with physical difficulties in our school. When the rest of the class heads out for physical games, some volunteers stay back to play board games like chess with them—ensuring that no child feels left out or alone.”

According to her, this is what truly makes Aurobindo International School special—a place where children are groomed not just as learners, but as compassionate, responsible human beings—just like they would be in a nurturing family environment.