- 882 Punjab government school students cleared NEET-UG 2026.
- NEET success rate steadily increased over three years.
- 'PACE' program supported students like Prateek Kumar.
NEET-UG 2026: Punjab's public education system received a major boost as 882 students from the state's government schools cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026. The first exam had been cancelled due to a paper leak, following which a re-examination was conducted across the country, and the results have now been declared.
Sharing details, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains congratulated the students who cleared NEET and wished them a golden future in the medical field. He said the state's government school students have once again proven that quality education and hard work can achieve any goal, calling the 882 successful students a reflection of the "Education Revolution" and the dedication of teachers.
Steady Rise In NEET Success Over Three Years:
The Education Minister said the number of students clearing NEET in 2026 is clear evidence of the rising standards in the state's government schools. In 2024, 437 students had cleared NEET, and this number rose to 847 in 2025. This year, 882 students passed the exam, a rise of more than 100 percent compared to 2024, achieved despite the disruption caused by the paper leak and re-examination in 2026.
Punjab Government's Commitment To Public Education
Affirming the commitment of the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, towards public education, Harjot Singh Bains said education is the most powerful tool to eliminate poverty and give new direction to lives. He said that despite the disruption in this year's exam, the success of government school students in NEET is proof of what children can achieve with proper support and a conducive environment.
Prateek Kumar's Story: Overcoming Financial Barriers
Among this year's successful candidates, Prateek Kumar, a student of School of Eminence, Sekhewal in Ludhiana district, highlights the wider impact of the state's education reforms. The son of a private school teacher earning a monthly salary of Rs 16,000, Prateek scored 594 out of 720 marks (99.3 percentile) in NEET-UG 2026.
He prepared for the exam through free online classes and mock tests under the Punjab School Education Department's "PACE" programme for government school students. Prateek aspires to become an oncologist and serve cancer patients. His father said he always believed education was the only way to change his family's fortunes, adding that the government's free coaching and mock tests gave Prateek new direction, calling this the proudest and happiest day of their lives.
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Punjab's Broader Progress In Education:
The students' success in NEET reflects the state's progress. Earlier this year, in the NITI Aayog Education Quality Report 2026, Punjab achieved the status of India's best-performing state in school education, surpassing Kerala and Delhi.
The Education Minister said the state government provides mentorship and exam preparation support, with the Bhagwant Mann-led government fully committed to identifying and nurturing talent, ensuring every child receives world-class education to realise their dreams.