Panshul Bansal, who secured AIR-2 in the Re-NEET-UG 2026 exam and scored 715 out of 720 marks, said that he didn't want to go to protests because he wanted to spend more time in his studies.

While speaking to news agency ANI, Panshul said that he was initially disappointed when the NEET exam was cancelled, but later saw it as an opportunity to improve his performance.

"Initially, I was sad and despaired that the exam got cancelled. Then I thought to myself that crying would serve no purpose. So, I got myself together and started focusing on my regular schedule that was before the first NEET. I thought that I should give it my all and see if God has given me an opportunity to score better because He knows that I can score better. My family supported and consoled me well," Panshul was quoted as saying in the report.

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Courage and strength is needed: Panshul Bansal

Sending a message to other students, Panshul said, “Conduct of exams is not in your hands. So, see it this way – what happened, happened for good. Take it in this way that you would perform even better and score better…"

Stressing the importance of perseverance for students, Panshul said, "When the paper is cancelled, you need a lot of resilience and not quit…That is important."

AIR 1 Aryan Gupta explains his approach

Expressing similar views, AIR-1 holder Aryan Gupta said that he was disappointed at first but realised that 22 lakh students faced the same fate and so he realised that it was an opportunity.

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"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 every day. I started studying from the next day itself and the results are in front of you," he told news agency ANI.