NEET UG 2026 AIR 20 holder Vaishnavi Das reveals the preparation habits that helped her score 700 out of 720 in the medical entrance exam. Speaking to news agency ANI, Vaishnavi said she deactivated Instagram when she entered Class 11 as she thought it would distract her from preparing for NEET.The aspirant from Hyderabad said consistency, regular mock tests, NCERT revision and a positive mindset were the key factors behind her performance. Sharing advice to future NEET candidates, she said students should focus on completing their program goals rather than just counting the hours they studied.• NEET UG 2026 cutoff surges, students fear government medical seats may slip despite 600 marks
“I deactivated Instagram in 11th grade because it distracted me”
Recalling the moment when she checked her NEET UG 2026 results, Vaishnavi said she was traveling with her parents during the Rath Yatra celebrations when the results were announced.“I was not at home when the results came out. Since it was Rath Yatra that day, I was in the car with my parents and since I was Odia, we went to see the celebrations. We had just passed the temple when the results came out,” she told ANI.She said after seeing her ranking, she immediately checked her results and informed her parents. “I yelled ’20’ to my parents. We pulled over to the side of the road and just sat there. I cried, the whole trip was unbelievable. It’s still unforgettable,” she said.• Rickshaw driver’s grandson becomes first person from Bihar to crack NEET UG, advises aspirants to stay consistentTalking about avoiding distractions during her preparations, Vaishnavi said she switched off Instagram after entering Class 11. “It’s more of a distraction than anything else,” she said, advising aspirants to identify activities that affect their concentration and manage them effectively.
Vaishnavi’s NEET preparation strategy: Mock tests, timetable and consistency
Washhnavi said she medical entrance exam Preparation began in eighth grade when she decided to get serious about studying medicine. Later, she joined Chaitanya’s MPL program for medical aspirants and continued her preparation in the college till class 12th.Talking about her mock exam process, she said full course exams were gradually added to the preparation phase. “We started around December with one mock test a day for the full syllabus and slowly built up. Eventually, we were trying about two mock tests a day,” she said.Vaishnavi said the structured test practice helped her cope with the stress of NEET. While exams can feel mentally challenging, being prepared and enjoying the learning process can help reduce fear, she said.
“I never count my study time; I focus on completing my daily goals”
Sharing her time management approach, Vaishnavi said she did not measure her preparation in terms of study time.“I personally never count time. For me, it’s about setting a schedule for the entire week and completing each day’s plan,” she says.She added that completing assigned tasks is her top priority, no matter how much time it takes. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 12 o’clock in the morning or 1 o’clock in the morning. The most important thing is to accomplish what I decided to accomplish today,” she said.Advising NEET aspirants, Vaishnavi said students should not lose hope during the long preparation process. “Two years is not a short time, but keep practicing. Trust yourself and the books around you. Keep revising your NCERT – they are the gold standard,” she said.She also stressed the importance of staying healthy during preparation. “Stay as positive as possible, as this requires a lot of positivity, and don’t neglect your health. Sleep is equally important,” she adds.
