Tathagat Avatar NEET 2024 AIR 1 Topper Interview: Pay Heed to Class 11 Topics to Score High
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2026 ( NEET )
Registration - 8 Feb '26 - 8 Mar '26
Tathagat Avatar secured AIR 1 in NEET UG 2024 exam with 720/720 scores. NEET 2024 topper interview of AIR 1 Tathagat Avatar is provided below. Potential NEET aspirants can check the topper’s preparation strategy, revision tips, quick notes and success story here.
Q. Congratulations on your success in NEET 2024. Were you expecting this rank?
Tathagat: I was not expecting to get AIR 1 in NEET UG 2024. I think no one can say with surety that they will get AIR 1. However, I was expecting to get a rank under 100. Although I had anticipated hearing about the outcome later, it was revealed today. I knew I was going to do well on this test, but one can only desire a perfect score.
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Q. How was your journey so far?
Thathagat: My parents and teachers have been my biggest pillars of success. I would like to thank my parents as well as my teachers for having faith in me.
Q. How did you prepare for the NEET examination? What steps did you take to overcome distractions?
The exact numbers of NEET 2026 exam centres will be announced by NTA along with the result details. It is expected that the total number of NEET 2025 exam centres will be around 5,000. In 2024, the number was 4,750.
As per the Supreme Court hearing dated June 13, 2024, the Centre said that the scores of 1,563 candidates who were given grace marks, are cancelled. They were given an option to reappear for the exam which was conducted on June 23, 2024. The result of this test willl be declared by June 30, 2024. The result for those candidates who will not be appearing for the re-NEET 2024, will be considered for that of the May 5 exam, devoid of grace marks.
The NEET 2024 exam was conducted by NTA on May 5, 2024 in 571 cities across India and abroad. Incidents of wrong question paper medium distribution, paper leaks and proxy exam takers were reported in the media after the conduct of the exam. As of now, as many as 13 people have been arrested in allegations of paper leak. This led to unrest among the students and stakeholders and they are demanding for a retest. Moreover, after the declaration of the result, several anomalies were observed which again led to unrest among candidates and a demand for reNEET 2024 resurfaced. NTA formed a Grievance Redressal Committee which reviewed the complaints submitted, and decided to reconduct the exam for 1,563 candidates.
Tathagat: This was my third attempt of the NEET exam. I made the decision to study through online mode only. I took my classes from PW and Alakh Pandey sir cleared my concepts very easily. Their lectures were to be delivered in an approach that I enjoyed. Joining an offline exam series was another strategy that I found to be effective. I think practising NEET mock test was very helpful for time management. Eliminating all forms of distraction for a period helped me perform well on the NEET exam.
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Q. How did you balance NEET preparation along with board exam preparation?
Tathagat: I was relieved not to have any concerns about balancing two exams this year because I took a drop year following my prior attempt because of NEET results.
Q. Which is your dream medical college and specialisation?
Tathagat: I would love to go to AIIMS Delhi and enrol myself in the MBBS programme. However, the AIIMS Delhi cutoff is expected to go higher this time.
The NTA has not released the NEET 2026 exam city list yet. The number of exam cities will be known after the release of NEET notification 2026. However, the NTA removed five cities from the list in 2025. The five cities which were removed from the NEET exam city list were Surampelam (Andhra Pradesh), Deoghar (Madhya Pradesh), Basar (Arunachal Pradesh), Mamit (Mizoram) and Kiphrie (Nagaland).
Q. What motivated you to appear for NEET exam for the third time?
Tathagat: Last year I qualified NEET but my score was not as expected. Hence, I decided to take another attempt of the NEET UG exam with the aim of studying in the best medical college in India.
Q. How important was coaching for you?
Tathagat: I realized that my online preparation plan was considerably more advanced and provided me with more practice time subsequently. People usually advise against using online coaching and learning to crack the NEET exam, but based on my current performance, I can assert with confidence that AIR 1 can be achieved through online study while seated in a tiny room as well.
Q. What was the most challenging subject in NEET according to you?
Thathagat: Inorganic chemistry was the toughest for me during the preparation of NEET UG 2024.
Q. Any specific preparation tips you would like to share with future NEET aspirants?
Tathagat: In my opinion, students must focus on textbooks of classes 11 and 12 and follow the guidance of their teachers Aspirants must join online test series either online or offline. Additionally, try challenging questions at the end because you shouldn't spend too much time on them at first. Revision is another essential part of NEET preparation. Be self-assured and refuse to allow self-doubt to affect you. Never stop seeing yourself as the best and pay attention in class eleventh topics.
Further, Thathagat suggested class 11 students pay heed to class 11 topics very carefully and not take it lightly. Dedication and discipline shall be maintained by the students. Mock tests are very important to score high in the NEET entrance exam. Hence, it shall be attempted rigorously.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 19 hours ago
The NEET UG 2026 registration started on February 8, 2026. The NEET registration last date is March 8, 2026. The NTA has not extended the last date to apply online. Candidates should submit their forms timely as no further extension will be provided.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
The NEET UG exam comprises Physics, Chemistry and Biology sections. There are a total 180 questions in the exam. The exam carries 720 marks. The section wise-wightage of these three sections is shared below-
NEET Physics- 45 questions (180 marks)
NEET Chemistry- 45 questions (180 marks)
NEET Biology- 9
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
The NEET registration fee differs for reserved and unreserved categories. Have a look at the registration fees below-
Category | Application Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
General / Unreserved | INR 1,700 |
General-EWS / OBC-NCL | INR 1,600 |
SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | INR 1,000 |
NRI/ OCI/ Outside India | INR 9,500 |
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
The NEET application correction 2026 window will open on March 10, 2026. The last date for correction is March 12, 2026. Candidates can make changes or corrections to the form within the given dates.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
Have a look at the NEET photo requirements 2026 below-
Documents | Size & Format |
|---|---|
Passport Size Photograph | 10 KB to 200 KB JPG/JPEG |
Postcard Size Photograph | 10 KB to 200 KB 4"x6" JPG/JPEG |
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
No, students can't get admission in Government Medical College, Ernakulam without NEET. The college selects on an entrance basis considers NEET UG/ PG scores to shortlist the students. However, students may contact the college to confirm whether state-level exams are also accepted.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, admissions without NEET is not possible. The mode of MS Ramaiah Medical College course admissions is online. Admission to various courses is based on entrance exam scores and merit. The accepted entrance exams are NEET, NEET PG, and others. Students who wish to get admission must first reach the
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes. In order to get admission into top central institutions like BHU, AIIMS, Military Nursing Service through BSc Nursing 2026, NEET is required. Some colleges conduct separate exam for admission to BSc nursing.
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 days ago
Hi.
Type: Private Medical College (Deemed University)
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Course: MBBS
Seats: Around 150–200 MBBS seats
Admission: Through NEET UG
Quota:
All India Quota (AIQ) – 15%
State Quota – 85%
Management / NRI Quota – part of the private seat allocation
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered 2 days ago
Hi.
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
BITS Pilani (Pharmacy)
Panjab University, Chandigarh
JSS College of Pharmacy (Ooty / Mysore)
NIPER Hyderabad
Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai
Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences
NIPER Mohali
SRM IST Chennai
h
Scholar-Level 17
The total number of exam cities for NEET is 566. The number of NEET exam cities in India are 552 and in abroad are 14. The number of exam cities in India changes every year. The exact number is known through the notification PDF.