Ludhiana: Ludhiana has emerged as a proud contributor to this year’s NEET-UG results after city student Aryan Gupta secured the All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2026. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the results late on Thursday, placing Aryan among the country’s highest achievers with an impressive score of 715 out of 720.
A student of a coaching institute in Dugri, Aryan outperformed more than 22 lakh candidates who appeared for one of India’s most competitive entrance examinations. His result places him at the top of the national merit list, making him one of the brightest medical aspirants of the year.
Expressing his happiness after the results, Aryan described the achievement as the outcome of years of disciplined preparation and consistent hard work. He said he followed a demanding study routine, often dedicating nearly 16 to 17 hours a day to his preparation while remaining focused on his long-term goal.
Medicine has been a natural choice for Aryan, who belongs to a family of doctors. However, he said his ambition to specialise in oncology stems from a deeply personal experience. The loss of his grandmother to cancer at a young age inspired him to pursue a career where he could contribute to the treatment of patients battling the disease.
The Gupta family celebrated the milestone, calling it the reward for Aryan’s perseverance and determination. His success also reflects the family’s academic tradition, as his elder brother had secured an excellent national rank in the previous year’s NEET examination.
Aryan’s accomplishment has drawn widespread appreciation from across Punjab, with several public figures and educationists congratulating him. Many described his success as an inspiration for aspiring medical students and a moment of pride for Ludhiana as well as the state.
