NEET 2026 Results State Toppers: Meet the Champions from Ladakh, Andaman and Lakshadweep

While Punjab and Haryana grabbed the AIR 1 headlines, one of the most inspiring parts of the NEET (UG) 2026 result lies away from the top of the merit list — in the Union Territories and states with the smallest candidate pools, where every qualifier represents a much steeper climb.

Toppers from India's Remotest Regions

NTA's official State Toppers list for NEET (UG) 2026 includes:

• Jigmet Yangchan Lamo (Ladakh) — 530 marks, NEET Rank 55,742, 97.20445 percentile

• Dhruv Tripathi (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) — 606 marks, NEET Rank 8,339, 99.58183 percentile

• Fahmida Anees (Lakshadweep) — ST category, 573 marks

• Jigmet Yangchan Lamo's performance is especially notable given Lakshadweep recorded only 43 total qualifiers and Ladakh registered just 1,045 candidates in 2026, against Uttar Pradesh's 3.56 lakh registrations.

Every North-Eastern State Represented

NTA confirmed that toppers cover every North-Eastern state, including:

• Lirik Ete (Arunachal Pradesh) — ST category, Rank 8,673

• Subhasmita Nayak (Nagaland) — Rank 42,124

• H Malsawmdawngzuala (Mizoram) — ST category, Rank 11,875

• Richa Subba (Sikkim) — ST category, Rank 14,777

• Bakhambok Anthony Thabah (Meghalaya) — ST category, Rank 14,455

• Baibhab Roy (Tripura) — OBC-NCL, Rank 166

• Javed Hasan (Manipur) — Rank 7,105

Why State Toppers Matter More Than National Rank

In states and Union Territories with limited coaching infrastructure and far smaller candidate pools, a state topper's rank can look modest next to national AIR 1, but represents disproportionately higher achievement relative to local access to resources. Lakshadweep's total qualifier count of 43 versus Uttar Pradesh's over 1.7 lakh puts this in perspective.

Full Geographical Footprint

NTA has confirmed qualified candidates from every one of the 36 States and Union Territories in India — meaning NEET (UG) 2026 truly reflects nationwide participation, from metro hubs to island territories.