NEET-UG AIR 2 holder recounts retest horror and reset strategy
Panshul Bansal, who secured All India Rank 2 in the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, shares his strategy for overcoming the mental setback caused by the cancellation of the initial exam. He emphasizes the importance of mastering NCERT textbooks and maintaining a balanced routine that includes extracurricular activities.
Why it matters
The story highlights the resilience required by students navigating systemic challenges in high-stakes competitive examinations in India. It also provides practical study insights for aspirants aiming for top medical colleges.
Panshul Bansal of Faridabad, Haryana, secured All India Rank (AIR) 2 in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2026 re-examination held on June 21 this year and hopes to specialise in surgery after gaining admission to All India Institute Of Medical Sciences Delhi.
The NEET exam, originally conducted on May 3, was cancelled following allegations of paper leak and large-scale irregularities, forcing candidates to prepare for a retest. Mr. Bansal described it a significant setback.
“It was a disheartening experience because anyone who has dedicated three years to a single goal would feel as though their hard work had simply vanished in a day,” he said.
However, he said he quickly shifted his focus to the retest instead of dwelling on the setback.
“Since the situation was beyond my control, the best path forward was to simply cope and begin studying again to secure a better rank,” he said.
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