SPECIAL | From classroom topper to NEET No. 1: Ludhiana’s Aryan Gupta crowns years of persistence with AIR 1

Ludhiana student Aryan Gupta has emerged as the national topper in the NEET-UG 2026 examination, securing All India Rank (AIR) 1 with 715 marks out of 720. The result, declared by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday night, brought celebrations to his family in the Dugri area of Ludhiana.

Aryan’s achievement came after a challenging examination cycle marked by uncertainty and a re-test ordered following allegations of irregularities in the earlier examination process. The fresh NEET-UG examination was conducted by the NTA on June 21 across the country.

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For Aryan, the result was not only a personal milestone but also another achievement for a family closely associated with the medical profession. His father, Dr Sachin Gupta, is a senior anaesthesiologist, while his mother, Dr Reenu Gupta, is a practicing gynaecologist. His elder brother had also secured AIR 54 in NEET-UG 2025 and is currently pursuing medical studies.

Recalling the difficult phase after the cancellation of the earlier examination, Aryan said maintaining focus was the biggest challenge for students.

“The cancellation of the earlier examination was disappointing because every student had put months of hard work into preparation. However, I decided not to lose focus and continued studying with the same discipline. I knew that whenever the examination was conducted again, I had to be prepared,” Aryan said.

The national topper said he never studied with only a rank in mind and focused instead on improving his own performance.

“I never prepared intending to get Rank One. My focus was always to give my best in the examination. The final result is much bigger than what I had expected. I am thankful to my parents, teachers and everyone who supported me throughout this journey,” he said.

The 2026 NEET-UG examination cycle proved to be a test of patience for lakhs of aspirants after the original examination was cancelled amid concerns raised over alleged irregularities. Students had to return to their preparation schedules and appear again in the re-test process.

Aryan said managing pressure and staying mentally strong helped him during the extended preparation period.

“During such situations, it is important to remain calm. Preparation is not only about studying for long hours but also about maintaining confidence and mental balance,” he added.

Aryan’s academic record had already reflected his consistent performance. He scored 97.2 per cent marks in the medical stream in his Class 12 board examinations before appearing for NEET-UG.

His parents described the moment as an emotional one for the entire family.

“This is a very special moment for us. We always encouraged our children to focus on daily efforts rather than worrying about ranks. Seeing Aryan achieve this position after all the hard work is a matter of immense happiness and pride,” said Dr Reenu Gupta.

Dr Sachin Gupta said Aryan’s ability to remain composed during uncertain times played an important role in his success.

“Aryan remained calm despite the uncertainty surrounding the examination. He followed his routine and did not allow external issues to affect his preparation. We are proud of his rank, but more importantly, we are proud of the maturity he showed during this entire journey,” he said.

According to official NTA figures, around 22.79 lakh candidates registered for NEET-UG 2026, while nearly 20 lakh appeared for the re-test. More than 11.21 lakh candidates qualified the examination.

Despite achieving the top national position, Aryan said his real goal remains to become a successful doctor.

“The rank is only a milestone. The actual journey starts now. My dream has always been to become a good doctor and serve people,” Aryan said.

With his achievement, Aryan has added another proud chapter to Ludhiana’s academic success stories and become an inspiration for thousands of medical aspirants across the country.