NEET UG: Three from Capital figure among top 10 in country

Delhi made a remarkable mark in the NEET UG 2025 results announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday, with three students from the Capital figuring among top 10 in the country.

Mrinal Kishore Jha bagged All-India Rank (AIR) 4, Avika Agarwal secured AIR-5 and Harsh Kedawat got AIR-9, making the city proud with their stellar performance. Mrinal emerged as Delhi’s overall NEET UG topper, while Avika is the all-India female topper.

Seventeen-year-old Mrinal, originally from Bihar and currently residing in Faridabad due to his father’s job in the NCR, prepared for NEET from Delhi while staying at his aunt’s residence. A student of a private coaching institute, Mrinal credits his success to a mix of rigorous classes and extensive self-study.

“I started taking an interest in medicine when I was in Class IX,” Mrinal shared. “By the time I reached Class XI, I began preparing seriously for NEET. I chose the PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) stream with the aim of becoming a doctor,” he said.

Describing his study strategy, he said, “I used to attend seven hours of coaching classes daily, followed by another five to six hours of self-study. Mock tests helped me track my progress and identify weak areas. I planned my revisions and topic coverage based on the test performance.”

His favorites, he says, were biology and organic chemistry. “I expected a good result, but being among the top 10 is something I had not imagined,” he added.

Equally thrilled is Avika Agarwal, who clinched the fifth rank nationally and also holds the distinction of being this year’s female topper. A resident of Faridabad, Avika is now set to join AIIMS Delhi — her dream institution.

“This is beyond my expectations. I was hoping for a good result, but securing AIR-5 is overwhelming,” said an emotional Avika. “The thought of studying at AIIMS-Delhi always felt like a dream, and now it’s becoming a reality.”

Coming from a family of doctors, Avika said she had always aspired to pursue medicine. With a strong foundation laid early by her parents, she joined Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) in Class X. “I focused solely on NEET preparation starting in Class XI,” she said.

Sharing her daily routine, Avika said, “My coaching classes used to run from 10 am to 2:30 pm. After lunch, I would study in 1.5-hour blocks followed by a 30-minute break to refresh. This method helped me maintain consistency and focus.”

With determination, discipline and dreams driving them, Delhi’s NEET toppers have not only made their families proud but have also inspired thousands of aspirants across the country.

Delhi