Srinagar, Jul 17: Two students from south Kashmir’s Anantnag have brought pride to J&K after emerging as the top performers from the Union Territory in NEET UG 2026. Hadiya Nissar, who secured All India Rank 99 and topped the Union Territory, and Zaidan Wani, the UT’s second topper, have become symbols of hard work, consistency and self-belief for thousands of aspiring doctors across Kashmir.
While celebrating their remarkable achievement, both students shared a message that went beyond marks and rankings. Their advice was simple. Trust your journey, stay consistent, work in the right direction and never lose hope if success does not come immediately.
Speaking after the results, Hadiya described the moment as overwhelming and said the celebrations had continued ever since the announcement. She revealed that she never followed a rigid study schedule and instead focused on completing her daily targets.
“There was no fixed number of study hours. My aim was to complete what I had planned for the day. Your journey is unique. Be proud of it and own it. Even if you are not getting the desired results today, you may get them tomorrow,” she said.
Hadiya advised students to seek guidance from mentors and teachers, stressing that hard work alone is not enough without the right direction. She credited her success to her teachers, parents, grandparents and extended family, saying they created a stable and supportive environment that allowed her to focus on studies.
The young achiever, who is inclined towards neurosurgery, said she plans to choose her medical college after counselling with the guidance of her teachers.
Zaidan Wani, who secured the second-highest rank in the Union Territory, echoed similar thoughts. He said the result brought immense happiness because it reflected years of effort and dedication.
“When I saw the result, I felt very happy. It felt like my hard work had paid off,” he said.
Zaidan credited his parents and teachers for standing by him throughout the journey. He said his parents guided him at every step while his teachers helped him strengthen his concepts and stay focused.
Asked about screen time during preparation, Zaidan admitted that it varied from day to day but stressed the importance of consistency.
“Sometimes I studied more, sometimes less. The same was true for phone usage. But I always tried to remain consistent, and I think that worked out well,” he said.
Both toppers also spoke about the challenges created by the NEET re-examination process. Hadiya said it was difficult to regain momentum after the unexpected gap, while Zaidan’s family recalled that the uncertainty briefly affected his motivation. However, both students managed to overcome the setback with support from family members and teachers.
Family members of the two achievers highlighted the role of a positive home environment in shaping success. Hadiya’s relatives described her as disciplined, intelligent and focused from childhood, while Zaidan’s uncle, himself a teacher, urged parents to understand their children’s abilities before placing expectations on them.
“A child’s potential should be identified first. Expectations should not go beyond what a child is capable of. Teachers are often the best judges of a student’s strengths,” he said.
The success of Hadiya Nissar and Zaidan Wani has brought special recognition to Anantnag, with both of J&K’s top NEET performers coming from the district. Their stories have resonated across Kashmir, offering hope and encouragement to thousands of students preparing for competitive examinations.
For aspirants who could not achieve their desired results this year, the message from both toppers remains clear. Stay patient, keep working, trust your mentors and believe that every journey unfolds in its own time.
