Didn’t memorise: CUET UG 2026 topper Devina Gahlot shares her strategy
His first reaction when the result was announced was disbelief. Speaking to ANI, Devina said, “The exam went very well but I never thought I would get AIR 1… God was very kind.” he said.
Speaking to ANI, he emphasized that working long hours alone does not guarantee success and highlighted the importance of balance during preparation.
“It is also necessary to take some breaks,” he noted, adding that consistency and working properly are more important than working long hours.
A different approach to preparation
According to Devina, CUET-UG preparation requires a different strategy compared to many other competitive exams. Instead of relying on memorization, he focused on understanding concepts in depth and applying them in different contexts.
“I didn’t memorize it,” he said, explaining his preparation strategy.
He added that students who are seriously preparing for the Class 12 board exams already have a strong foundation for CUET. “If you have prepared for the board, then preparing for CUET is no different,” he says, aiming to reassure candidates who often view CUET as a completely separate challenge.
His perspective highlights the changing nature of competitive exams, where conceptual clarity has become more important than memorization.
NCERT at its core
Devina also touched upon the importance of NCERT textbooks in her preparation journey. According to him, most questions stemmed from NCERT content but required analytical thinking beyond direct recall.
“The questions were based on NCERT. There were more application-based questions,” he said. This insight is likely to be useful to future candidates who often rely on additional reference materials, sometimes overlooking core textbooks.
A proud moment for the family
The achievement was widely celebrated by his family. Sharing the news about X, her father Kailash Gahlot wrote, “It is with great pride and gratitude that we share that our little girl Devina Gahlot has secured the All India Rank 1 in CUET (UG)-2026 by achieving the highest total NTA score in the country.”
Gahlot stated in her post that her daughter’s success depends on her hard work, discipline and determination. He also expressed his gratitude to his teachers, mentors and the Delhi Public School Vasant Kunj community for their constant guidance and support.
beyond rank
For many students, achieving top rankings is often associated with excessive study schedules or extraordinary routines. Devina’s journey offers a more balanced perspective.
His advice is quite simple: focus on concepts, focus on Class 12 preparations, avoid memorization and make room for breaks.
As candidates across the country prepare for the next CUET cycle, the top scorer’s message stands out: success is not always about studying longer, but studying smarter.
