Aryan Gupta’s journey to becoming the All India Rank (AIR) 1 holder in NEET-UG 2026 is a story of resilience, determination and unwavering focus. The 17-year-old from Ludhiana, Punjab, secured an outstanding 715 out of 720 marks, but his path to success was far from smooth. After the nationwide paper-leak controversy forced the cancellation of the original examination, Aryan had to overcome disappointment and prepare all over again.
Like millions of NEET aspirants, Aryan was left heartbroken when the exam held on May 3 was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a paper leak. Speaking about the difficult phase, he admitted that the news left him emotionally shattered.
“I cried a lot when the exam was cancelled. It was very disheartening,” Aryan recalled, adding that it took him nearly a week to recover from the shock before he could return to his books with renewed focus.
Instead of allowing the setback to derail his dream, Aryan gradually changed his perspective. He realized that more than 22 lakh students across the country were facing the same uncertainty. Understanding that he wasn’t alone helped him regain confidence and treat the situation as a shared challenge rather than a personal loss.
A major source of strength during this period was his elder brother, Aditya Gupta, who secured AIR 54 in NEET-UG 2025 and is currently pursuing MBBS. Aditya encouraged him to view the rescheduled examination as an opportunity instead of a setback. Rather than dwelling on the cancellation, he advised Aryan to identify his mistakes from the first attempt and use the additional preparation time to improve.
The advice proved invaluable. Aryan analyzed his earlier performance and discovered that he had made five mistakes in the first examination. During the June 21 re-test, he reduced those errors to just one, eventually scoring 715/720 and emerging as the joint national topper alongside Haryana’s Panshul Bansal.
Aryan’s preparation routine reflected both discipline and balance. During the peak of his studies, he devoted nearly 16 to 17 hours a day to preparation. However, he also understood the importance of rest. He ensured six hours of sleep every night and took a one-hour afternoon nap to stay mentally refreshed.
Despite his intense schedule, Aryan never completely disconnected from his hobbies. A state-level table tennis player, he regularly used sports to relieve stress. He also watched Netflix, enjoyed anime particularly Haikyuu!! and spent some time on social media to relax before returning to his studies.
Sharing advice for future NEET aspirants, Aryan emphasized the importance of trusting experienced mentors instead of constantly second-guessing the preparation process. He believes students should follow the guidance of their teachers with confidence rather than overcomplicating their study plans.
While medicine runs in his family his father is an anesthesiologist and his mother is a gynecologist Aryan’s ambition to become a doctor is rooted in a deeply personal experience. He lost his grandmother to stage 4 cancer when he was in the third grade, an event that inspired him to dedicate his life to fighting the disease.
Now, with AIR 1 in hand, Aryan Gupta hopes to join AIIMS Delhi and specialize in oncology, turning a childhood promise into a lifelong mission of helping cancer patients.
