Ludhiana’s Aryan Gupta Secures NEET UG 2026 AIR 1, Inspired by Grandmother’s Cancer Battle

July 17, 2026

Ludhiana: A childhood promise inspired by the loss of his grandmother to cancer has brought Aryan Gupta, a resident of Dugri in Ludhiana, to the top of one of India’s toughest entrance examinations. Aryan secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in NEET UG 2026 (Re-NEET) by scoring 715 out of 720 marks, fulfilling his long-held dream of becoming an oncologist.

Aryan, whose parents are both doctors, said his grandmother’s death from stage-four cancer when he was in Class 3 became the defining moment of his life. Witnessing her battle despite having doctors in the family motivated him to pursue medicine with the goal of treating cancer patients.

Grandmother’s Cancer Battle Inspired Medical Dream

Recalling his childhood, Aryan said he was deeply attached to his grandmother and often spent time caring for her. Her passing left a lasting impact on him and inspired him to become a cancer specialist.

His father, Dr. Sachin Gupta, is an anaesthesiologist, while his mother, Dr. Renu Gupta, is a gynaecologist. Aryan said his family’s medical background strengthened his determination to pursue a career in medicine.

Brother’s Guidance and Consistent Preparation Led to Success

Aryan credited much of his success to his elder brother, who secured AIR 54 in NEET and is currently pursuing MBBS at Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Delhi.

According to Aryan, his brother guided him throughout his preparation by helping him make effective notes, manage his study schedule, and stay motivated during stressful phases.

His mentor also highlighted Aryan’s dedication to understanding concepts rather than memorising answers. Whenever he answered a question incorrectly, he would continue seeking clarification until every concept was clear.

Aryan completed his schooling at a convent school in Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, where he consistently excelled academically. He secured a global top rank in Mathematics under the Cambridge Board in Class 10 and scored 97.2% in his Class 12 examinations before preparing for NEET at a coaching institute in Ludhiana.

Overcame Re-NEET Challenge With Determination

Aryan’s journey became more challenging after the initial NEET examination was cancelled following the paper leak controversy, leading to a re-examination.

He admitted that reopening his books after believing the exam was over was mentally exhausting. It took him nearly a week to regain focus, after which he resumed his preparation with the support of his parents and elder brother.

His perseverance paid off as he scored 715 marks out of 720 in the re-conducted examination to secure the top rank nationwide.

Succeeded Without Using AI or Digital Learning Tools

Despite the growing use of Artificial Intelligence and digital study platforms among aspirants, Aryan followed a traditional study approach throughout his preparation.

He relied on NCERT textbooks, handwritten notes, classroom teaching, and direct interaction with teachers instead of AI tools or platforms such as ChatGPT. Aryan believes that strong conceptual understanding and consistent practice were the key factors behind his success.