Delhi 

As the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Examination) 2026 results were declared, many heartwarming stories of extraordinary young persons who overcame their adversities to crack this prestigious examination for entry into India's top medical colleges, have come forth. The most touching stories are from a college in Karnataka where 22 madrasa-educated students cleared the examination and the other is of a rickshaw driver in Western UP who fought against poverty and cracked the NEET.

The Shaheen Pre-University College, Bidar, in Karnataka, is celebrating the outcome of the NEET 2026, in which 22 Hafiz-e-Quran students (seminary students who memorise the Quran for a degree) from the college have cleared the Medical college entrance examination.

Their success debunks the myth that religious education is not compatible with modern education.

According to the released results, Hafiz Muhammad Ijaz Alam secured first position among the Hafiz students by scoring 593 marks. The list also includes two women, Hafiza Najia Khatun (536) and Umme Habiba (525). 

Shaheen Group has been following a model of combining Quran memorisation and modern education for the past several years.

As a result of this balanced education system, every year a large number of Quran memoriser students are cracking entrance examinations to secure seats in India's top professional colleges, civil services and other national-level competitive exams.

Hafiz-e-Quran stuidents who cracked the NEET

Referring to the advantages of Quran memorisers in the NEET, teachers say that memorising the Quran strengthens students' concentration and memory. When students are provided with the right environment and coaching in modern subjects, they master Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in a very short time. This is why these students are now on the path to becoming doctors at some of the country's leading medical colleges.

Dr Abdul Qadeer, Chairman of Shaheen Group of Institutions, congratulated all the Huffaz students who achieved outstanding success in NET 2026.

He said that this success of the Huffaz Quran is a clear proof of the fact that religious education and modern scientific sciences are supportive of each other. When sincerity, hard work, discipline and excellent educational guidance come together, then significant success can be achieved even in the most difficult national-level examinations.

Mohammad Suhail's story

The success of Mohammad Suhail from Muzaffarnagar, Western UP, who drove an e-rickshaw to support his family while studying for the NEET, is one of the best stories of human perseverance and determination.

No one in Suhail's family had ever pursued education beyond the 12th grade before him. Rising from such a background to embark on the path of becoming a doctor became a source of pride for both his family and the community.

Speaking to the media, Suhail said, "I am from a lower-middle-class family where resources were limited, but dreams were vast."

It was his mother's dream to see Suhail become a doctor.

Suhail with his parents and siblings

Suhail says, "Becoming a doctor was never my dream; it was my mother's dream. Her constant support and belief in me became the inspiration that drove me to follow this path and make her dream my own goal."

After completing his 12th-grade studies in 2021, both Suhail and his brother wanted to pursue higher education. However, the family's financial situation did not allow them to do so. Taking hard decisions for survival, Suhail started driving his father's battery rickshaw while his brother enrolled in college.

Suhail says, "I used to drive the e-rickshaw during the day. My nights were spent studying. I would often study until midnight or even later."

Interestingly, Suhail had no idea about NEET; he know only when a friend told him about it. "A friend explained that it offered a way to pursue an MBBS degree at a government medical college at a low cost."

That was the turning point in his life. He says, "I realised that if I cleared NEET, I could pursue MBBS without placing a financial burden on my family."

Despite financial constraints, Suhail did not give up. He turned to affordable online coaching. He explains, "I joined an affordable online batch by PhysicsWallah. Alakh Sir's 'Yakeen Batch' was available for just ₹3,000 to ₹4,000."

In his first attempt, he scored 190 marks. However, he did not lose heart; he continued working hard and secured 609 marks in his third attempt.

Suhail says that he had almost decided to give up on his preparations when the PW Vidyapeeth centre in Meerut contacted him. He says, "Meerut Vidyapeeth called me and offered full support. I was granted free admission, along with guidance and all kinds of assistance."

The coaching centre provided an environment conducive to organised study. "They conducted regular rapid tests and had AI/AR-based batches, which provided me with study material and guidance tailored to my needs."

There was no suitable environment for studying at home. Suhail explains, "There wasn't a proper place to study at my house. One of my teachers, Hashir Sir, even gave me his own room so I could study in peace." According to him, this support proved crucial to his success.

Suhail with his father

Suhail says that he never studied by counting the hours. He says, "For me, my goal was more important than the clock. I had only one rule: whatever you start, see it through to the end."

"My brother even gave up his own studies and started working so he could support me." He adds, "These sacrifices made me even more focused and determined. I knew I could never let their efforts go to waste."

Suhail was at his grandmother's house when the NEET results were declared. Recalling that moment, he says, "As soon as we saw my score, the whole room erupted with joy. People were shouting, celebrating, and hugging me." He continues, "Drums were beating in a family that had never even dared to dream of having a doctor among them."

Suhail stated, "My NEET rank is 11,000. While this might not get me into the country's top-tier medical colleges, it is sufficient to secure a seat in a good government medical college."

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When asked about his plans, Suhail said, "I want to study surgery during my MBBS. I am confident that in the coming years, I will have the opportunity to discover which field of medicine I am most drawn to."