Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has shared a congratulatory message for NEET UG 2026 topper Vaishnavi Das, whose interview about celebrating Rath Yatra with her family before discovering her results has gone viral online. While applauding the Hyderabad-based student’s achievement, Kangana also sparked discussion with her observation that she had “never seen or met an atheist topper or winner”, linking success to both hard work and faith.
Vaishnavi Das secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 20 in the NEET UG 2026 examination with a score of 700 out of 720. Her story gained attention after she recounted the emotional moment she learnt about her result while returning from Rath Yatra celebrations with her parents. An Odia by origin, Vaishnavi said she was travelling with her family after visiting the festival when the results were declared. She recalled shouting “20” to her parents after checking her rank, following which they stopped their car by the roadside as the family celebrated the achievement together. Overwhelmed with emotion, Vaishnavi said she broke down in tears and described the moment as unforgettable.
Sharing a clip of the interview on her Instagram Stories, Kangana praised the young aspirant and reflected on the role of faith in success. “Never seen or met an atheist topper/winner. They always know hard work was theirs but grace came from else,” she wrote. Her remark quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions across social media. While some users agreed with her views and appreciated her emphasis on humility and gratitude, others disagreed with the generalisation, arguing that academic excellence and personal beliefs are independent of each other.
Vaishnavi’s achievement has come at a time when the NEET examination remains at the centre of a nationwide debate. Allegations of question paper leaks and concerns over the integrity of the examination process have triggered protests by students across the country. The issue has also sparked conversations about the immense academic pressure faced by aspirants and the need for reforms in India’s competitive examination system.
Kangana has been closely following developments surrounding the protests. Earlier this week, she commented on the ongoing demonstrations during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, saying that Parliament is the appropriate forum to debate issues related to the examination and hold the government accountable. She maintained that while concerns should be discussed, attempts to disrupt parliamentary proceedings or pressure the government into removing Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan were not appropriate.
The actor-politician has also criticised attempts to “arm-twist” the government over ministerial decisions, stating that such demands should not be made through public pressure. In separate remarks following protests near Parliament, Kangana described the demonstrations as a security concern and said lawmakers inside Parliament had feared for their safety when crowds gathered outside.
Meanwhile, Vaishnavi has shared details of the disciplined preparation strategy that helped her secure a top rank. She revealed that she deactivated Instagram during Class 11 to avoid distractions and instead focused on maintaining consistency, taking mock tests and completing daily academic targets rather than counting study hours. Her preparation routine has been widely praised by students preparing for future competitive examinations.
Kangana’s latest Instagram post has once again placed her at the centre of public debate. While many users viewed her message as an appreciation of faith alongside hard work, others questioned her broader observation about belief and academic success. Regardless of the differing reactions, her post has amplified attention on Vaishnavi Das’ remarkable achievement and added another dimension to the ongoing national conversation surrounding the NEET examination and the aspirations of millions of students.
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