Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab’s government schools have registered a remarkable performance in NEET-UG 2026, with 882 students qualifying for the national medical entrance examination. The achievement marks a rise of more than 100 per cent in the number of successful candidates over the past two years and has been described by Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains as a strong reflection of the impact of the state government’s “Sikhya Kranti” initiative.
Congratulating the successful students, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the achievement once again proves that students from government schools can excel in highly competitive examinations when provided with the right academic support and opportunities. He said the dedication of students, teachers and the education department has helped create a strong upward trend in NEET results.
The number of government school students qualifying NEET has increased significantly from 437 in 2024 to 847 in 2025 and further to 882 in 2026. According to the Education Minister, the latest results represent a cumulative growth of over 100 per cent compared to 2024, despite disruptions in this year’s examination cycle.
One of the inspiring success stories is that of Prateek Kumar, a student of the School of Eminence, Sekhewal, Ludhiana. Coming from a family where his father, a private school teacher, earns Rs 16,000 per month, Prateek scored 594 out of 720 marks in NEET-UG 2026. He prepared for the examination through free online classes and mock tests provided under the Punjab School Education Department’s PACE programme.
Prateek now dreams of becoming an oncologist and serving cancer patients. His success highlights how access to quality coaching and structured academic support can help students overcome financial limitations and compete with students from expensive private institutions.
Bains said the Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, remains committed to strengthening public education and providing every child with opportunities to realise their dreams. He said the success of government school students in NEET is part of the broader transformation taking place in Punjab’s education sector.
The achievement comes after Punjab was recognised as India’s top-performing state in school education in the NITI Aayog Education Quality Report 2026, further strengthening the government’s claim that its education reforms are producing visible results.
