Devina Gahlot, the younger daughter of BJP leader and former AAP minister Kailash Gahlot, has emerged as the All India Rank (AIR) 1 holder in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the CUET-UG 2026 results on June 23, with Devina securing the highest aggregate NTA score in the country. Her achievement placed her at the top among more than 15.6 lakh registered candidates who appeared for the national-level undergraduate entrance examination.
Devina Gahlot's academic achievement
According to the NTA, Devina recorded the highest aggregate score in the examination, making her the top-ranked candidate in the country. The agency said one candidate achieved a 100 percentile score in four out of the five subjects opted for, registering the best performance in CUET-UG 2026.
Reacting to her result, Devina said she never expected to secure the top rank despite feeling that her examination had gone well.
"The exam went very well, but I never thought that I would secure AIR 1... God has been very kind," she told ANI.
How did Devina Gahlot prepare for CUET?
Devina credited her success to conceptual understanding, consistency and smart preparation rather than spending long hours studying.
She said students should focus on understanding concepts instead of memorising information.
"I didn't memorise," she said while explaining her preparation strategy.
According to Devina, students who have prepared thoroughly for their Class 12 board examinations already possess a strong foundation for CUET.
"If you have prepared for boards, then preparing for CUET is no different," she said.
She also stressed the importance of taking breaks during preparation and maintaining a balanced study routine.
Role of NCERT books in her success
Devina highlighted that NCERT textbooks played a crucial role in her preparation. She noted that while most questions were based on NCERT content, the examination tested students' ability to apply concepts rather than simply recall facts.
"The questions were based on NCERT. There were more application-based questions," she said.
Her approach reflects the growing emphasis on conceptual clarity and analytical thinking in competitive examinations.
Kailash Gahlot's reaction
Sharing the news on social media, Kailash Gahlot expressed pride in his daughter's achievement.
"With immense pride and gratitude, we share that our younger daughter, Devina Gahlot, has secured All India Rank 1 in CUET (UG)-2026, achieving the highest aggregate NTA score in the country."
He attributed her success to hard work, discipline and perseverance and thanked her teachers, mentors and the community at Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, for supporting her academic journey.
CUET-UG 2026 at a glance
The NTA conducted CUET-UG 2026 in computer-based test mode across 321 cities, including 13 international locations. A total of 15,68,867 candidates registered for the examination, while 11,64,098 appeared.
The examination was held between May 11 and May 31, and again on June 6 and 7, for admission to undergraduate programmes for the 2026-27 academic session.
