J&K Creates History in NEET UG 2026: Valley Duo Hadiya Nisar, Zaidan Wani Secure Best-Ever National Ranks.

Srinagar, July 17: Jammu & Kashmir has scripted history in NEET UG 2026 by recording its best-ever performance, with two students from the Kashmir Valley securing places among India’s top 125 candidates. According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), Hadiya Nisar from Srinagar secured an outstanding All India Rank (AIR) 99 with 690 marks and a 99.9931 percentile, becoming the highest-ranked NEET candidate from the Union Territory, while Zaidan Wani achieved AIR 124 with the same score, making the duo among only 138 candidates across India to score 690 marks or above. Their remarkable success has been hailed as a watershed moment for Jammu & Kashmir’s education sector, reflecting the growing academic excellence and competitive spirit of students from the region. Hadiya, who dreams of becoming a cardiologist, credited her parents for supporting her through frequent power cuts and internet disruptions during her preparation, saying she hopes her achievement inspires every young girl in Kashmir to pursue medicine with confidence. Zaidan, who lost his father two years ago, dedicated his success to his mother, who worked tirelessly to fund his coaching, stating that determination and hard work matter more than circumstances. Education experts believe the historic performance is the result of improved educational infrastructure, increased access to digital learning, the expansion of quality coaching institutes, and greater awareness about medical careers among students. Officials also acknowledged that challenges such as high coaching fees, limited facilities in remote areas, and unequal access to quality education still need to be addressed. With their exceptional ranks, both Hadiya and Zaidan are expected to secure admission to India’s premier medical institutions, including AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and Maulana Azad Medical College, depending on their counselling preferences. As celebrations erupted across the Valley, education officials described the achievement as a defining moment for Jammu & Kashmir, saying the success proves that the region’s students are no longer just participating in national-level competitive examinations but are now competing with—and outperforming—the country’s best, firmly placing J&K on India’s medical education map.