Anantnag, Jul 17: Jammu and Kashmir has scripted one of its best-ever performances in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2026, with several students from the Valley securing outstanding ranks and inspiring thousands of aspiring doctors across the region.
Among the notable achievers is Hadiya Nisar from Anantnag, who emerged as the highest-ranked candidate from Jammu and Kashmir, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 99 with an impressive 99.9931 percentile. She has also figured among the country’s top NEET performers.
Another inspiring success story is Zaara Mushtaq Katoo from Harnag in Anantnag district, who qualified for the prestigious examination by scoring 610 marks, reflecting years of perseverance, discipline and consistent hard work.
J&K’s remarkable performance was further strengthened by Zaidan Wani, who secured AIR 124 with over 690 marks, placing himself among the country’s top 125 candidates. Hadiya and Zaidan are among the select group of only 138 candidates nationwide to cross the 690-mark, highlighting the growing academic excellence in the Union Territory.
Speaking after her success, Zaara Mushtaq said the biggest reason behind her achievement was staying away from unnecessary distractions, particularly social media.
“My advice to every NEET aspirant is simple—delete social media applications from your phone and focus completely on your studies. Social media consumes valuable time and distracts students from their goals. Consistency, discipline and hard work are the real keys to success,” she said.
She encouraged students who could not qualify this year not to become discouraged.
“Failure is never the end. Those who haven’t cleared NEET this year should not lose hope. Work harder, remain consistent and determined. With sincere efforts and patience, every goal can be achieved,” Zaara added.
Expressing happiness over her achievement, Hadiya credited her success to disciplined preparation, regular study habits and the unwavering support of her parents.
“This achievement belongs not only to me but also to my parents and teachers who stood by me throughout the journey. I remained focused on my studies and believed in consistent hard work rather than shortcuts,” she said.
She advised aspirants to avoid comparing themselves with others. “Every student’s journey is different. Stay focused, trust your preparation and never allow temporary setbacks to weaken your confidence,” Hadiya said.
Her parents, Nisar Ahmed and Zubia, described the result as one of the proudest moments of their lives.
“We always believed in our daughter’s abilities and supported her throughout her preparation. Parents should first understand the potential, interests and capabilities of their children before putting any pressure on them. Expectations should be realistic, and encouragement is far more important than unnecessary pressure,” they said.
They further urged students to remain disciplined and dedicated. “Success comes through patience and consistent effort. Every child has different capabilities, and parents must help them grow rather than compare them with others,” they added.
Zaidan Wani, who secured AIR 124, said that one shouldn’t get disheartened due to one result but continue working hard and keep faith.
“Don’t get disheartened because of one result. Continue working hard and keep faith in yourself. If Allah is with you, nothing can stop you. There are countless opportunities in life, and success comes to those who remain determined and never give up,” Zaidan said.
Educationists said the exceptional performance of J&K students reflects the growing academic culture in the region, where increasing numbers of students are excelling in national-level competitive examinations despite various challenges.
They said the achievements of students like Hadiya Nisar, Zaidan Wani and others will inspire thousands of young aspirants across Jammu and Kashmir to pursue their dreams with dedication, discipline and self-belief, while reinforcing the message that perseverance and focused preparation remain the strongest ingredients for success—(KNO)
