'Devastated, cried a lot': NEET AIR 1 holder recalls how paper leak, exam cancellation shattered him

Aryan Gupta, who topped the NEET UG 2026 re-exam, shared his struggles and credited his family for support.

Updated on: Jul 22, 2026, 15:10:05 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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The cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 examination due to a paper leak left lakhs of aspirants grappling with uncertainty. The backlash over the paper leak and student suicides has only grown since then, triggering Cockroach Janta party (CJP)-led protests and emotional distress among students across the country.

While many spoke of the mental toll the decision took on them, Aryan Gupta—who secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the Re-NEET UG 2026 examination on June 21—has now shared that he too was overwhelmed by the setback. Recalling the days after the exam was cancelled, Gupta said he was "really devastated" and "cried a lot" before deciding to begin his preparation again.

Speaking about the period following the cancellation, Gupta said he struggled to come to terms with what had happened.

Also read | NEET topper Panshul Bansal skipped the CJP protest. He explains why

“I was disappointed at first"

“I was disappointed at first, I was really devastated and cried a lot when the paper was cancelled. Still, I came to the realisation that of course it is unfair what happened but it's not just with me, 22 lakh other aspirants have suffered the same fate and they are writing the examination again. Somewhere along the line I realised that I have got another chance. So, I just bounced back and gave my best everyday. I started studying from the next day itself and the results are in front of you. My rank/result could not have been possible without my parents or elder brother or teachers around me. My parents are doctors, they gave me a very strong foundation and very big emotional support for me during this period, ” Gupta told news agency ANI.

Gupta credited his family and teachers for helping him navigate the difficult phase, saying their guidance and emotional support played a key role in his journey to the top rank.

Message for future aspirants

Sharing advice for students preparing for the examination in the future, Gupta urged them to rely on their teachers and remain consistent in their efforts.

Also read | 'Uncompromising and firm stand': Vijay's TVK demands complete scrapping of NEET

“To the students who will write the exam later, I will say - trust your teachers, follow them blindly because they know much more than you do because they know much more than you do...Give your best everyday and just keep doing the work every single day with consistency and discipline, and things will work out on their own...,” Gupta told the news agency.

Panshul Bansal skips CJP protest

All India Rank (AIR) 2 holder Panshul Bansal said he chose to focus on his preparation instead of joining the demonstrations, using the time to improve his performance.

Also read | Those involved in NEET paper leak will be punished: PM Modi speaks at NDA meet

Speaking to NDTV about the paper leak controversy and the ongoing agitation, Bansal said, "I thought of the situation as an opportunity to improve my score. So I thought, why should I go to the protest? Instead, I could be studying at home and improving my skills and score."

CJP Protest

The alleged NEET paper leak led to one of the biggest student demonstrations in the national capital on July 20, as thousands of aspirants, parents and supporters gathered for the 'Sansad Chalo' march to demand accountability over the examination controversy. An estimated 50,000 people participated in the protest at Jantar Mantar, where tensions escalated during the course of the demonstration. Reportedly, several students and police personnel sustained injuries as clashes broke out.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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