Two Chandigarh girls secure high ranks in NEET UG
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Chandigarh: In a remarkable feat that highlights both academic excellence and the power of family support, two girls from Chandigarh have secured top ranks in NEET UG 2025. One hails from a family of medical professionals, while the other is the daughter of a government school mathematics teacher — both proving that dedication and discipline transcend backgrounds.
The results were announced on Saturday.
Nandika Sarin, a resident of Sector 32 and student of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, secured All India Rank (AIR) 98. She scored 98.2% in Class XII and followed a disciplined self-study routine of 7 to 8 hours a day. Her father, Dr Jatin Sarin, is an oncologist at a hospital in Mohali, and her mother is a pathologist based in Sector 33. Her elder sister, Akshita, is also a doctor, currently working at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32.
"I stayed away from distractions and revised regularly. The key was to stay consistent, no matter what," said Nandika. Apart from academics, she enjoys reading and is trained in Bharatnatyam. She had represented her school at a national cultural event held in Nagpur in 2020.
Divya, a student of Sri Chaitanya Techno School, Sector 44, and a resident of Sector 46, bagged AIR 158. She scored 93.5% in Class XII and managed a daily study schedule of around 5 to 6 hours.
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Her father, Vijay Pal, teaches mathematics at Government Model Middle School, Sector 45, and her mother, Rattan Devi, is a homemaker. Her elder sister is also a doctor at GMCH, Sector 32.
"I always took time out for physical activity—whether it was running, dancing, or aerobics. It helped me stay mentally balanced during the preparation," Divya said. She also enjoys painting and classical dance, and credited her family's support for her success.
Both students described their NEET journey as one of steady effort, support from home, and careful time management.
BOX- City's NEET UG track record in past years
Chandigarh produced the national NEET topper in 2024, when Tejas Singh secured AIR 1. In 2023, Bhanu Arora from the city had ranked 282 at the all-India level. Year after year, Chandigarh has consistently featured in the list of top-performing cities in the exam.
BOX- Drop in NEET UG numbers this year
The number of NEET UG aspirants from Chandigarh dropped to 2,675 this year from 3,485 in 2024. Of these, 1,816 qualified — fewer than the 2,546 qualifiers last year. Nationally too, 22.09 lakh students appeared in 2025, down from 23.33 lakh in 2024. Experts say the decline could reflect shifting priorities. "A growing number of students are now looking at alternate medical careers, research, or overseas study options," said a senior faculty member at a city-based NEET institute.
Another expert added that "with so many new avenues open for students apart from medical and engineering, students have multiple options at hand and not everyone wants to invest this much of time and money."
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