Srinagar, Jul 17: Two candidates from J&K have secured a place among India’s top-performing students in NEET-UG 2026. However, with over 50,000 aspirants, and a very high cut-off, competition for MBBS seats remains one of the most intense in the country.
The result declaration brings to a close the most turbulent admission cycles in the examination's history. The original test that was held on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. It forced more than 22 lakh aspirants across the country to prepare for a fresh examination on June 21.
The unprecedented decision triggered weeks of uncertainty, anxiety and legal scrutiny. The students and parents awaited the outcome anxiously and the eventual declaration of results throws the process of admissions open now. The NEET-UG 2026 results tell two stories for J&K - one of academic excellence, with two students breaking into India's select group of highest scorers.
And the other one showcases how despite significant expansion in medical education, demand for MBBS seats is among the fiercest in the country. Hadiya Nissar (AIR 99) and Zaidan Wani (AIR 124) have featured in the list of just 138 candidates nationwide to score 690 marks in NEET-UG 2026. Their achievement underscores J&K's growing presence among the country's top-performing candidates.
This year, nearly 20 lakh candidates appeared for NEET-UG in India, with only 11.21 lakh qualifying.Of the qualifiers, just 19 candidates crossed the 700-mark barrier. This exhibits the level of competition at the top end of the merit list.
It also brings into focus the intense competition that continues to define medical admissions. J&K now has around 1675 MBBS seats across its government medical colleges, including AIIMS Jammu.
The major seat increase over the past decade is a result of seven new GMCs being started, a stark contrast to just two before 2018.
Yet, the competition has remained as intense as ever. Registrations for NEET-UG have nearly doubled over the past few years, crossed 50,000 mark. Thousands of qualified candidates continue to compete for a limited number of seats in GMCs.
While access to medical education has improved, demand has grown significantly. The race for an MBBS seat remains fiercely intense in J&K. For candidates the state and UT merit list is the final answer to their aspirations.
The NEET result marks the beginning rather than the end of admission process. Candidate’s admission prospects will depend on factors like J&K merit list, reservation category and college and seat preferences.
