One week to recover
3 Jul 2026 | 12:38 How can children learn about money and financial responsibility?
22 lakh students shared the setback, making it feel manageable
715 out of 720, a score that stands out
More than a top performer, a well-rounded individual
A vow made in third grade
Lessons for any student facing difficulties now
Aryan Gupta had prepared for an entire year for NEET UG. One date and one opportunity. He studied late, skipped social events, and gave up rest to focus on the goal. Then the exam was cancelled due to paper leak claims, leaving lakhs of students uncertain. The 17-year-old from Ludhiana sat alone and wept, unsure of the next step. That same student later became India’s top scorer.
Aryan spoke openly about the initial days. He did not hide his feelings or act brave. He cried and faced the loss of a year’s effort. The next morning, he returned to his books. It took roughly a week to regain his pace amid doubt and resolve. His elder brother Aditya, already in MBBS, helped by framing the retest as a second chance rather than a penalty.
This shift changed his outlook. Aryan also realized he was not alone. About 22 lakh students faced the same uncertainty. The issue felt shared, not personal. He studied with greater focus, using the extra month of preparation fully.
When results came, Aryan Gupta ranked first with 715 out of 720, tying for AIR-1 with Panshul Bansal from Haryana. The score exceeded last year’s top mark of 686 on a hard paper. He reduced errors from five to one.
“It still feels unreal,” he said to PTI. Aryan is a state-level table tennis player who scored 98.4 percent in CBSE Class 12 exams. He studied 16 to 17 hours daily yet allowed time for rest and media. His parents are doctors, and his brother studies medicine. The family connection to the field runs deep.
Aryan chose oncology after his grandmother died of advanced cancer when he was in Class 3. As a child, he promised to fight the disease. That commitment carried through school, coaching, the cancellation, and long study days.
His advice to others is simple: trust hard work. Allow a week to recover if needed, then continue. A cancelled exam can mark the start of a stronger path.
