NEET 2026 toppers reflect on paper leak turmoil: 'The conduct of exams is not in your hands'

As nationwide protests continue over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak, students and families are demanding accountability from the government and reforms in the examination system. Two of the exam's top rankers have shared how they coped with the uncertainty surrounding the re-test.

Their comments come against the backdrop of a crisis that has had a devastating impact on many aspirants. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led protest movement founded by Abhijeet Dipke, has claimed that more than 20 NEET aspirants died by suicide during the period following the paper leak controversy and ahead of the re-examination, alleging that the uncertainty and pressure contributed to the deaths.

According to Hindustan Times, at least 11 aspirants reportedly died by suicide during the 46 days between the cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 examination over the paper leak controversy and the scheduled re-test on 21 June.

At a time when many students have spoken about the emotional and financial challenges triggered by the examination controversy, both toppers credited their families with providing the stability and encouragement they needed to continue their preparation.

Aryan Gupta AIR 1

Aryan Gupta, who secured AIR 1, comes from a family deeply rooted in the medical profession. He is from Punjab and secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the NEET UG 2026 re-examination with a 99.9999 percentile.

Reportedly, his father, Dr Sachin Gupta, is an anaesthesiologist, his mother, Dr Reenu Gupta, is a gynaecologist and several members of his extended family are also doctors. Gupta said the support and guidance he received from his parents helped him stay focused during the re-examination process.

Gupta said he treated the re-examination as a second opportunity and relied heavily on his parents for emotional support.

"My parents were my biggest source of support," he said, adding that students should trust their teachers, remain disciplined and continue working consistently.

Panshul Bansal AIR 2

Sharing a similar experience, Panshul Bansal, 17, from Haryana, who secured All India Rank (AIR) 2 in the NEET UG 2026 re-examination, studied at South Delhi's KR Mangalam World School in Greater Kailash.

His father is a businessman, and his mother is a company secretary. Bansal credited his family's unwavering emotional support for helping him navigate the uncertainty following the exam's cancellation.

"The conduct of exams is not in your hands," Bansal told ANI, adding that he resumed his study routine after overcoming his disappointment.

The toppers' comments come amid continuing protests over the examination's cancellation and re-test. The NEET-UG re-examination was conducted on 21 June after the original examination, held on 3 May, was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the case.

What NEET means for aspirants

For millions of Indian students, NEET is far more than an entrance examination—it represents years of preparation, financial sacrifice and the hope of upward mobility. Aspirants come from every corner of the country and from widely diverse economic backgrounds, with many seeing this exam as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform their family's future. The paper leak controversy has therefore triggered widespread outrage and grief, with parents and students taking to the streets to demand accountability.

Dubbing the paper leak a betrayal by the system, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "People who have studied sincerely, studied hard, written and prepared for exams have been betrayed by the system that they trusted to ensure their futures."

Families of aspirants who reportedly died by suicide have spoken publicly about the emotional toll of the crisis, making the debate about NEET not only one of examination integrity but also of student welfare and public trust.

The protests have also been marked by clashes between students and police, with several student groups alleging excessive use of force during demonstrations while demanding accountability for the paper leak.