The public education system of Punjab is getting tremendous support. 882 students of government schools of the state have passed the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026. The first exam was canceled due to the leak of NEET paper. After this, re-examination was conducted across the country, the results of which have been declared.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains congratulated the students who passed the NEET exam. He wished him a bright future in the medical field. He said, “Once again, the students of our government schools have proved that every goal can be achieved with quality education and hard work. This year, 882 of our students have cleared the NEET exam, which shows the impact of the ‘Education Revolution’ and the dedication of our teachers.”
100 percent more than 2024
The Education Minister said that the number of students passing the NEET exam in the year 2026 is a clear example of the increasing standards of government schools in the state. In the year 2024, 437 students had passed the NEET exam and in the year 2025 this number increased to 847. This year 882 students have passed this examination, which shows an increase of more than 100 percent compared to the year 2024. This success has been achieved despite the disruption in the 2026 examination due to paper leak and re-examination.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to public education, Harjot Singh Bains said, “Education is the most powerful tool to end poverty and give a new direction to life. Despite the disruption in the examination this year, the success of our government school students in NEET is a testament to what our children can achieve with the right support and conducive environment.”
The story of Prateek Kumar, a student of School of Eminence, Sekhewal, Ludhiana district, among those who passed the NEET exam this year, highlights the widespread impact of the education reforms of the state. Son of a private school teacher with a monthly salary of Rs 16,000, Pratik scored 99.3 per cent in NEET-UG 2026 with 594 marks out of 720. She prepared for the exam through free online classes and mock tests under the “PACE” program of the Punjab School Education Department for government school students. Prateek wants to serve cancer patients by becoming an oncologist. His achievement shows that financial obstacles can be overcome with the right direction and support, dedication and hard work.
means of changing the fortunes of the family
Prateek’s father said, “I always believed that education was the only way to change the destiny of our family. The free coaching and mock tests of the Punjab government gave Prateek a new direction. Today, when he has passed the NEET exam, it is the proudest and happiest day of our lives.”
The success of students in NEET exam shows the state’s steps towards progress. Earlier this year, Punjab was ranked as India’s best performing state in school education in NITI Aayog’s Education Quality Report 2026, leaving behind Kerala and Delhi.
The Education Minister said that mentorship and preparation for the examination is provided by the state government. The government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is fully committed to identifying and improving skills. He said that the government is also ensuring that every child is provided world class education to realize their dreams.
Leave a Reply