As many as 882 students from Punjab government schools have qualified the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026, marking a more than 100 per cent increase in the number of successful candidates
over the past two years, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said on Monday.
Congratulating the successful candidates, Bains said that the achievement reflected the impact of the Punjab government’s education reforms under its “Sikhya Kranti” initiative and the dedication of teachers across the state.
“Once again, students from our government schools have proven that quality education and hard work go hand in hand. This year, 882 of our students have qualified NEET, reflecting the sustained impact of ‘Sikhya Kranti’ and the commitment of our teachers,” he said.
According to the Education Department, the number of government school students qualifying NEET has steadily risen from 437 in 2024 to 847 in 2025 and 882 this year, despite the disruption caused by the cancellation of the original examination due to a paper leak and the subsequent re-test.
Bains said the Bhagwant Mann-led government remains committed to strengthening public education, adding that education is the most effective tool to eradicate poverty and transform lives.
Among this year’s qualifiers is Prateek Kumar, a student of the School of Eminence in Sekhewal, Ludhiana, who scored 594 out of 720. The son of a private school teacher earning ₹16,000 a month, Prateek prepared through the Punjab School Education Department’s free PACE coaching programme and now hopes to become an oncologist.
“I always believed that education is the only way to change our family’s destiny. The Punjab Government’s free coaching and mock tests gave Prateek the wings. Today, when he has qualified NEET, it is the proudest and happiest day of our lives,” said Prateek’s father.
Earlier this year, Punjab emerged as India’s top-performing state in school education, surpassing Kerala and Delhi in the NITI Aayog Education Quality Report 2026.
The minister said the success of government school students demonstrated that quality public education, structured mentorship and free coaching could help talented students overcome financial barriers and realise their aspirations.
