NTA declares NEET UG 2026 results; over 11.21 lakh qualify
The National Testing Agency has released the results for the 2026 NEET UG exam following a re-test necessitated by a paper-leak controversy. Despite the challenges, over 11.21 lakh candidates qualified, with a notable increase in high scores compared to the previous year.
Why it matters
The exam results are critical for medical school admissions in India, and the successful administration of the re-test addresses significant concerns regarding the integrity of the national testing system.
NEW DELHI: NEET-UG 2026 saw a sharp rise in top scores after the paper-leak controversy and nationwide re-test, with Punjab’s Aryan Gupta and Haryana’s Panshul Bansal jointly topping the examination with 715 out of 720. Their score was 29 marks higher than the 686 secured by 2025 topper, when an unusually tough paper ensured that not a single candidate crossed 700.The results also threw up a strong first-attempt and gender story. More than 93% of the 138 candidates scoring above 690 were appearing for NEET for the first time, while 99% were aged 17 to 19.
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