Why 'Go To Protest When I Could Study?' NEET AIR 2 Panshul Bansal Explains Decision Amid Nationwide Agitation
As nationwide protests over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak continue to dominate headlines, one of the country's highest-ranking medical aspirants has offered a different perspective. Panshul Bansal , who secured All India Rank (AIR) 2 in the NEET UG 2026 re-examination, said he deliberately stayed away from the protests and instead focused on improving his preparation.
Speaking to NDTV, Bansal said, "I thought, why should I go to the protest? Instead, I could be studying at home and improving my skills and improving my score." His remarks have sparked discussion as student protests and political demonstrations continue over the alleged examination irregularities.
However, instead of dwelling on the setback, the 19-year-old used the additional preparation time to strengthen his concepts. His strategy paid off in the re-examination, where he improved his score from 706 in the cancelled exam to 715 marks, earning a remarkable 99.9999 percentile and securing AIR 2.
His comments come at a time when protests have intensified across the country, with opposition parties and student groups demanding action against those responsible for the alleged leak and calling for greater transparency in the examination process. Several political leaders have also participated in demonstrations in New Delhi over the issue.
Bansal's remarks do not dismiss the concerns raised by protesting students but reflect the personal choice he made during a challenging period.
The agency also introduced stricter protocols, including revised examination procedures and additional safeguards aimed at restoring confidence in the country's largest medical entrance examination.
With counselling for medical admissions expected to begin soon, Bansal's achievement stands out not only because of his impressive rank but also because of the mindset that helped him navigate one of the most turbulent admission seasons in recent years.
Speaking to NDTV, Bansal said, "I thought, why should I go to the protest? Instead, I could be studying at home and improving my skills and improving my score." His remarks have sparked discussion as student protests and political demonstrations continue over the alleged examination irregularities.
From Disappointment To Success
The cancellation of the original NEET UG 2026 examination following allegations of a question paper leak left lakhs of students uncertain about their future. Like many candidates, Bansal admitted he was initially disappointed when the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that the exam would be conducted again.However, instead of dwelling on the setback, the 19-year-old used the additional preparation time to strengthen his concepts. His strategy paid off in the re-examination, where he improved his score from 706 in the cancelled exam to 715 marks, earning a remarkable 99.9999 percentile and securing AIR 2.
Focused Preparation Over Public Demonstrations
While thousands of students took part in demonstrations demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak controversy, Bansal said he believed his energy was better spent preparing for the examination.You may also like
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His comments come at a time when protests have intensified across the country, with opposition parties and student groups demanding action against those responsible for the alleged leak and calling for greater transparency in the examination process. Several political leaders have also participated in demonstrations in New Delhi over the issue.
Bansal's remarks do not dismiss the concerns raised by protesting students but reflect the personal choice he made during a challenging period.
NEET 2026 Controversy
The NEET UG 2026 examination, originally held on May 3, was cancelled after investigators found evidence suggesting that parts of the question paper had been leaked before the exam. The NTA subsequently announced a nationwide re-examination, which was conducted on June 21 under enhanced security measures.The agency also introduced stricter protocols, including revised examination procedures and additional safeguards aimed at restoring confidence in the country's largest medical entrance examination.
With counselling for medical admissions expected to begin soon, Bansal's achievement stands out not only because of his impressive rank but also because of the mindset that helped him navigate one of the most turbulent admission seasons in recent years.
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