Punjab Students Excel in National Medical Entrance Exam

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that 882 students from government schools in Punjab qualified for the NEET-UG 2026 examination. The achievement follows the state government’s educational reforms and a focus on strengthening public education.

The number of qualifying students has risen steadily over the past three years, increasing from 437 in 2024 to 882 in 2026, a rise of over 100 percent. This success occurred despite disruptions to the exam cycle caused by a paper leak and subsequent re-examination.

Prateek Kumar, a student from Ludhiana, scored 594 out of 720, preparing through the government’s PACE program, free online coaching and mock tests, while his father earns 16,000 rupees per month as a private school teacher. The Punjab government intends to continue providing mentorship and exam preparation, viewing education as vital for social mobility. The state also claims top ranking in school education in the NITI Aayog Education Quality Report 2026.