CUET UG 2026 Topper: Devina Gahlot Secures AIR 1 with Record 1232.19 Score, Credits NCERT and Consistency

CUET UG 2026 Result: In a remarkable achievement, Devina Gahlot has emerged as the All India Rank (AIR) 1 holder in CUET UG 2026, securing an impressive aggregate score of 1232.19 marks across her chosen subjects. Her success has made her the highest scorer in one of India’s largest undergraduate entrance examinations, which saw participation from more than 11.64 lakh candidates this year.

Devina Gahlot Tops CUET UG 2026

Devina delivered an outstanding performance by scoring perfect marks in Economics, Political Science, and Psychology, while narrowly missing full marks in English and Fine Arts. Her achievement places her at the top of the highly competitive Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2026, the gateway to admission in leading universities across India.

According to official data, only one candidate managed to secure the 100 percentile in four subjects, while 22 candidates achieved the feat in three subjects, highlighting the intense competition among aspirants.

CUET 2026 Preparation Strategy: No Coaching, Only NCERT

Unlike many entrance exam toppers, Devina did not rely on expensive coaching classes. Instead, she focused on:

• Thorough study of NCERT textbooks

• Regular revision of concepts

• Solving previous years’ CUET question papers

• Maintaining a consistent study routine

• Prioritising conceptual understanding over rote learning

She believes that disciplined preparation combined with strong fundamentals from CBSE board studies helped her adapt to the application-based format of the CUET examination.

Delhi University Dream

After securing the top rank in CUET UG 2026, Devina now hopes to pursue BA (Hons) English at prestigious Delhi University colleges such as St. Stephen’s College or Hindu College.

She has also expressed an interest in journalism and public service, drawing inspiration from her family’s involvement in public life.

CUET UG 2026: A Gateway to Top Universities

CUET UG has become one of India’s most important higher education entrance examinations, providing admission opportunities to more than 280 universities, including Delhi University and several central institutions.

Experts believe that popular programmes such as BA (Hons) Economics, Political Science, and English Honours are likely to witness very high cut-offs during the admission process.

Message for CUET Aspirants

Sharing her advice for future candidates, Devina emphasised the importance of self-belief and consistency.

“Trust yourself, stay disciplined, revise regularly, and never give up. Success comes from consistent effort rather than extreme study schedules,” she said.

Her journey serves as a reminder that with focused preparation, strong fundamentals, and perseverance, students can excel in highly competitive exams such as CUET UG 2026 without depending entirely on coaching institutes.