SRINAGAR: Students from Kashmir have delivered one of the Union Territory’s strongest performances in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2026, with Hadiya Nisar of Dialgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district emerging as the UT topper by securing All India Rank (AIR) 99.
According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), Hadiya secured a 99.9931 percentile to become the highest-ranked candidate from Jammu and Kashmir. Another student from Anantnag, Zaidan Wani, followed closely with the same percentile, securing AIR 124 and the second position in the Union Territory.
Both students figured among just 138 candidates across the country who scored 690 or more marks in the highly competitive examination.
Describing her achievement as a moment of “joy and pride”, Hadiya credited her parents and teachers for keeping her motivated throughout her preparation.
“I did not have time for negative thoughts. My parents always motivated me, and my teachers guided me throughout this journey. I gave my 100 per cent and left the rest to Allah,” she said.
Sharing her preparation strategy, she said students often underestimate the value of properly using standard study material.
“I had good study material, and I focused on using it effectively instead of collecting too many resources. Solving previous years’ JEE questions also helped because the NEET paper pattern has become tougher,” she said.
Advising future aspirants, Hadiya said success does not depend on following a rigid timetable or blindly copying toppers.
“Trust your mentors instead of blindly following toppers. Hard work is important, but it has to be in the right direction, and that direction comes from your parents and teachers,” she said.
Zaidan described securing AIR 124 as an emotional milestone after years of preparation.
“It is an overwhelming feeling. There are a lot of emotions,” he said, while encouraging students who did not qualify to remain hopeful.
“NEET is not the end of the world. If you don’t succeed this time, you can try again or pursue other opportunities,” he said, crediting his parents and teachers for their unwavering support.
Another notable performer from Anantnag, Zaara Mushtaq Katoo of Harnag, secured 610 marks. She advised aspirants to stay away from distractions, particularly social media.
“My advice is simple—delete social media applications from your phone and focus completely on your studies. Consistency, discipline and hard work are the real keys to success,” she said, adding that students who failed to qualify should remain determined and prepare for another attempt.
Among the Valley’s other high achievers, Adnan Manzoor of Wakoora in Ganderbal secured AIR 1,607 after scoring 647 marks.
“I want to become a scientist, and this is the first step towards achieving that dream. We have to stay away from distractions to achieve what we want,” he said.
Another student from Wakoora, Muneeb-ul-Islam, scored 570 marks and said the result reflected three years of sustained hard work.
Several inspiring stories also emerged from economically weaker families.
Mehran Amin of Batagund village in Verinag, Anantnag, the son of a daily-wage labourer, secured 610 marks and AIR 7,000 despite severe financial constraints.
“There are many difficult phases in life, but circumstances should never become a reason to give up. If you remain patient, focused and consistent, success will eventually come,” he said, adding that his dream of becoming a doctor was driven by a desire to serve people who cannot afford quality healthcare.
Another inspiring candidate, Shariq Muzaffar from Manihal village in Shopian, also the son of a daily-wage labourer, secured 601 marks in his second attempt.
“I could not clear NEET in my first attempt, but I learnt from my mistakes, took a drop year and worked harder. The first step is to strengthen your basics. Never lose hope and trust the process,” he said, crediting his mother for standing by him throughout his journey.
In north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Faizan Bashir Bhat from Gushi, the son of a labourer, qualified with 554 marks through self-study and free online resources without attending any private coaching institute.
In neighbouring Ladakh, Jigmet Yangchan Lamo emerged as the Union Territory topper with a 97.20445 percentile and AIR 55,742.
Nationally, the NTA said more than 11.21 lakh candidates qualified the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, the results of which were declared in time for medical counselling and admissions. The re-examination was held on June 21 after the original May 3 test was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak.
Educationists said the outstanding performance of JK students, coupled with the success of candidates from modest backgrounds, reflects the Union Territory’s improving academic standards and growing competitiveness in national-level entrance examinations, offering inspiration to thousands of aspiring doctors across the region. (Inputs from news agencies)
