Panshul Bansal, NEET UG 2026 AIR 2, Says ‘Why Should I Go to the Protest? Instead, I Could Be Studying at Home’ (Video)
NEET UG 2026 AIR 2 Panshul Bansal said he chose to stay home and study instead of joining protests after the exam cancellation, improving his score from 706 to 715 in the re-examination.
Panshul Bansal, who secured All India Rank (AIR) 2 with a 99.9999 percentile in the NEET UG 2026 re-examination, has said he chose to stay home and prepare instead of participating in protests following the cancellation of the original medical entrance exam. Bansal, who scored 715 marks in the re-test, said he viewed the second opportunity as a chance to improve his performance.
"I thought, why should I go to the protest? Instead, I could be studying at home and improving my skills and improving my score," Bansal told NDTV's Shiv Aroor.
His remarks come as protests over the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak continue across the country, with thousands of students taking to the streets and opposition parties demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Dharmendra Pradhan Meets Panshul Bansal of Haryana Who Secured AIR 2 in NEET UG 2026 (See Pic).
Panshul Bansal on NEET UG 2026 Protests: 'Why Should I Go to the Protest?'
🔴 NEET TOPPER SAYS 'I CHOSE BOOKS OVER PROTESTS' 🤯
Q: Why didn't you join the NEET paper leak protests despite the nationwide outrage?
🎙️ Panchul: "I was upset about the paper leak, just like everyone else. But I felt God had given me an opportunity to improve my score.… pic.twitter.com/GN81l31HwM
— Sumit (@beingsumit01) July 22, 2026
A student of KR Mangalam World School in New Delhi's Greater Kailash, Bansal said he was initially disappointed when the original examination, held on May 3, was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a question paper leak. The CBI is investigating the case. NEET UG 2026 Topper List Out: Aryan Gupta, Panshul Bansal Secure AIR 1.
Recalling his reaction to the cancellation, Bansal said, "Initially, I had a feeling of despair and sadness. But after one or two hours, I looked at it from a positive perspective and got motivated and determined to do better this time."
He revealed that he had scored around 706 marks in the original examination before improving to 715 in the re-examination, which was conducted on June 21 under heightened security arrangements. The results were declared on July 16.
Speaking about his preparation, Bansal said he maintained the same study routine throughout the additional preparation period.
"I did not change anything in my schedule. I simply followed the same routine. I just felt that in the last one-and-a-half months I had to give everything I could and leave the rest to God," Bansal told NDTV.
Reflecting on his mindset after the cancellation, he said he decided not to dwell on the situation.
"I thought, why should I bring negativity into the picture? I should forget everything and focus on my main goal. Whatever happens will be for the good. Once the paper is over, the stress and anxiety will also end," he said.
When asked about the ongoing protests over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak, Bansal declined to take a position.
"I would not comment on that," he said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2026 09:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
