Khadki Student Shravani Kudale Scores 710 to Top Maharashtra in NEET 2026

Shravani Kudale, a resident of Khadki village in Daund taluka of Pune district, has emerged as Maharashtra’s topper in the NEET 2026 examination after scoring 710 out of 720 marks. The results, which were announced on Thursday, placed Kudale fifth in the all-India rankings and first in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

Kudale’s academic journey began in a government school, proving that studying in such institutions is not a barrier to national success. She completed her primary education from Class 1 to 5 at the Gopalwadi Zilla Parishad primary school. She later enrolled at the Shardabai Pawar Vidyaniketan in Malegaon, where she studied in a semi-English medium setup.

Following the announcement of the results, local residents and well-wishers gathered at her home in Khadki on Friday to congratulate her and her family. Kudale expressed that her background in a zilla parishad school never hindered her academic progress.

"I never faced a problem understanding English even though I completed my primary education in a zilla parishad school and my secondary education in a semi-English medium school," Kudale said.

To prepare for the competitive medical entrance exam, Kudale attended a coaching institute and maintained a strict study routine. This included staying away from mobile phones and social media for nearly a year to maintain her focus.

Kudale had initially taken the NEET test in May, where she expected to score around 715 marks but was uncertain of her national rank. When a re-examination was announced, she treated it as a fresh opportunity to improve her performance and prepared with complete dedication.

She comes from an academic family. Her parents, Jayashree and Krishna Kudale, are both teachers in a zilla parishad school, and her older sister is currently pursuing a medical education.

Across Maharashtra, Kudale was among 18 students who secured a place in the top 138 ranks. Other top performers from the state included Mohnish Maruti Bhosale from Atigare village in Kolhapur district, who ranked second in the state and 10th nationally, and Sarthak Mahesh Patil from Kolhapur, who took the third spot in the state and 14th rank nationally.