SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY
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PANJIM: Margao-based youngster Saloni Utagi is relieved and overjoyed at the same time after emerging as Goa State topper in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) 2026 in the shadow of a widespread paper leak scandal, leading to the unprecedented cancellation of the May 3 test and a subsequent country-wide re-examination.
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Saloni has emerged as the Goa state topper in the NEET-UG 2026, by securing an impressive 99.84 percentile and an All India Rank (AIR) of 3033. She was among only 13 female candidates across the country to be declared a state or Union Territory top-per, marking a significant achievement for Goa.
Reacting to her result, Saloni said: “The announcement of a retest was disheartening, as it effectively nullified the immense effort previously invested. Overcoming it required significant resilience and a renewed focus on my long-term goal of pursuing medicine. This experience has served as a profound lesson in perseverance, demonstrating that suc-cess requires overcoming unforeseen challenges and maintaining self-belief.”However, the ongoing controversies and the cancellation of the initial examination raise serious concerns about the admin istration of this process, This is a national-level e-trance examination for a noble profession, affecting approximately 2.2 million aspirants.
“Given the scale of this mishap and the significant impact on the student community, there is a critical need for institutional accountability. I urge the government to take immediate steps to address these systemic issues, ensure transparency, and safeguard the future of the nation’s medical aspirants,” she said.
Giving a broader per spective to Saloni’s success, her father Sagar said his daughter succeeded in the NEET exams despite the controversy surrounding the question paper leak because he has always encouraged his daughters to be calm in the face of acute adversities.. “From a very young age, I have always told both my daughters Saloni and Divisha, that to be successful in life, one must be able to handle and overcome failures and setbacks. Every successful person has navigated failure along the way.” Sagar said.
The cancellation of the initial NEET exam presented a significant initial setback. While the situation was challenging and required a difficult reorientation, it provided a valuable lesson in managing uncertainty. “Thanks to a strong support system-including her mother, myself, her teachers, sister, and Aakash Educational Services Limited-she persevered. She demonstrated impressive resilience and composure, successfully regrouping and refocusing after the initial disappointment of paper leak,” he said.
Sagar added that the entire education system and examination mechanisms must be reformed, as inefficiencies place a heavy burden on students and negatively impact India’s international reputation. “For Indian graduates to maintain credibility and be taken seriously by developed nations, we must en-sure a fool-proof examination system with zero paper leaks and clearly defined. accountability,” he said.
When asked for his advice to parents and children appearing for competitive exams like the NEET, he said that the inherent uncertainty of these processes can feel overwhelming, yet maintaining composure is essential for both well-being and performance. “It is important to re-member that while the number of available seats is limited, the opportunities in life are not. For the many students who may not secure admission, this outcome is not the end of your journey,” the proud father said.
