How NEET Topper Mahesh Kumar Scored AIR 1 – Secrets for 2026 Aspirants

Who Is Mahesh Kumar – The NEET 2025 AIR 1 Topper?

Mahesh Kumar is a medical aspirant from Rajasthan who topped the NEET UG 2025 exam. He secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 with a massive score of 686 out of 720. Mahesh studied at Gurukripa Coaching Institute in Sikar and belonged to a Hindi-medium background. His success story is an inspiration for millions of NEET 2026 aspirants across India.

What Was Mahesh Kumar’s Secret Study Plan?

Mahesh followed a very clear and consistent study strategy. His focus was always on understanding the concepts and not just memorizing them. He gave more time to his weak subjects and didn’t let bad scores in mock tests affect his motivation. Instead of following a fixed timetable, he made sure to study 10 to 12 hours a day, no matter how busy or tired he was.

Why Did Mahesh Avoid Overconfidence After Mock Tests?

Mahesh said one of the biggest problems NEET aspirants face is getting overconfident after scoring well in mock tests. He noticed that some students stop working hard once they get good marks. On the other hand, some get demotivated after bad marks. He avoided both and stayed consistent in his efforts, which helped him stay on track till the final exam.

What Was Mahesh Kumar’s Exam Day Experience?

On the NEET 2025 exam day, Mahesh faced a very tough start. The physics section was difficult, and the first 20 questions took him 30 minutes, where he could only solve 7-8. Instead of panicking, he switched to chemistry and biology. After finishing those sections, he returned to physics from the end and worked backwards. This smart strategy helped him recover the lost time and boosted his confidence.

How Did He Manage Negative Marking In NEET?

Mahesh avoided the trap of negative marking by practicing 22 mock tests in 54 days before the real exam. Through these tests, he learned how to leave hard questions and switch between subjects. He advised that students should not waste time on a question they don’t know. Instead, they should move ahead and come back later, just like he did in the real exam.

What Was Mahesh’s Daily Study Routine Like?

Mahesh didn’t follow a strict hourly schedule. He attended his coaching classes regularly and used his remaining time for self-study. When he felt tired or stressed, he would talk to his parents, friends, or teachers to feel better. Breaks were an important part of his daily routine, and he made sure he never felt burned out.

How Did Mahesh Study Biology for NEET?

Coming from a Hindi-medium background, Mahesh faced some difficulty at first. But his coaching institute guided him well. He focused heavily on NCERT books, especially for biology. He revised every chapter multiple times and practiced many question sets. His advice: all NEET aspirants must master biology through NCERT, as most questions come from it.

What Books And Sources Did Mahesh Use?

Mahesh mainly studied from NCERT books for all three subjects – physics, chemistry, and biology. For practice, he used coaching modules and solved previous years' question papers. He didn’t use too many reference books and preferred revising the same book multiple times.

What Mistakes Did Mahesh Avoid That Others Make?

He didn’t waste time collecting too many books. He didn’t ignore physics and chemistry NCERT books like some students do. He didn’t compare his preparation with others. Most importantly, he didn’t stop studying when scores went down or get lazy when scores went up.

What Are Mahesh Kumar’s Tips For NEET 2026 Aspirants?

Mahesh gave these simple but powerful tips for NEET 2026 students:

• Stick to NCERT for all subjects
• Give full attention to classroom notes
• Practice mock tests but don’t let results affect you
• Avoid negative marking by smart skipping
• Revise biology multiple times
• Build concepts, don’t memorize blindly
• Focus more on weak subjects
• Take small breaks to refresh the mind
• Talk to mentors if stuck anywhere
• Never lose hope till the exam day

How Many Mock Tests Did Mahesh Attempt?

Mahesh attempted 22 mock tests in just 54 days before his exam. This helped him in multiple ways – he got better at time management, identified his weak points, and became mentally prepared for the pressure of the exam hall. He used mock tests not to chase marks but to train himself.

Why Is Mahesh Kumar’s Success Special?

His success is special because he came from a Hindi-medium school and still cracked one of the toughest exams in India with top rank. Many students feel only English-medium or metro city students can top NEET, but Mahesh proved that hard work and the right approach matter more than anything else.

What Should Hindi-Medium Students Learn From Him?

Hindi-medium students should never feel they are behind. Mahesh learned English terms and biology names through repeated revision and coaching help. Today, with videos and bilingual coaching materials available, it’s easier than ever to succeed regardless of the medium.

What Role Did Coaching Play In His Success?

Gurukripa Coaching Institute in Sikar played a big role in guiding Mahesh. He followed their schedule, solved their test series, and listened to all advice from teachers. But he also took responsibility for his self-study and revision. Coaching helped, but his own discipline made the real difference.

How Can You Build Mental Strength Like Mahesh?

Don’t let small failures break you. Mahesh had bad days too. But he used them to learn and not give up. He kept calm under pressure and believed in his preparation. Talk to parents, take breaks, and keep going – that’s what made him mentally strong.

Final Advice For NEET 2026 Students

If you’re preparing for NEET 2026, remember Mahesh’s journey. Focus on NCERT, revise daily, solve mock tests smartly, stay healthy, and never lose hope. Mahesh’s story shows that with simple, honest efforts, you can also reach AIR 1.