Vasco, Goa – In a groundbreaking achievement, Gracina Colaco, a Scheduled Tribe (ST) girl hailing from Vasco, has emerged as the top scorer in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) (UG) in Goa. The National Testing Agency declared the NEET results on Tuesday, unveiling Gracina’s remarkable feat.
This momentous occasion marks the first time a student from the ST category in Goa has secured the highest rank in this highly competitive medical entrance examination. Gracina, a diligent student enrolled at St Andrew’s Higher Secondary School, Vasco, obtained an impressive score of 680 in NEET, securing an all-India rank of 1,738 and an astounding percentile of 99.91.
Expressing her aspirations, Gracina shared her desire to pursue a medical career, stating, “I want to pursue medicine, of course, but I am eager to see which institute I am admitted to after counseling. Ideally, I would like to study outside of Goa.”
The daughter of retired Goa Shipyard employee Joao Filipe Colaco and homemaker Inacina Fernandes, Gracina attributes her success to her coaching at the prestigious Aakash Institute. She exuded confidence in her performance, stating, “I knew I would score well.”
Notably, Gracina has also secured a position among the top ten students in the national list of ST category toppers, securing the 10th spot. Furthermore, her rank of 1,738 places her at the 30th spot among all state and union territory toppers across the country.
This achievement holds immense significance as it highlights the underrepresentation of ST candidates nationally in the NEET examination. The number of ST students appearing for the exam is comparatively lower than other categories, and their qualification rate stands at 44.7%, lower than the 53% for students from other backgrounds.
This year, a total of 56,381 ST students successfully qualified in NEET (UG). The examination, conducted on May 6 and 7, allowed 4,277 students from Goa to participate, out of which 2,204 students qualified for medical, dentistry, homeopathy, ayurveda, and nursing graduate program seats in Goa and across the country. Additionally, these students can also avail themselves of veterinary science seats using their NEET scores.
It is worth noting that Goa witnessed a slight increase in the number of students who qualified for NEET this year, with a qualification rate of 51.5% compared to 50% in 2022. Furthermore, the number of students appearing for NEET (UG) from Goa rose to 4,277 in 2023, surpassing last year’s figure of 3,755. This trend aligns with the nationwide surge in the number of students taking the NEET (UG) examination each year.
Gracina Colaco’s remarkable accomplishment not only shines a spotlight on her exceptional abilities but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring medical students, particularly from marginalized communities. Her achievement highlights the potential for excellence within every individual, regardless of their background, and serves as a reminder of the transformative power of education and determination.
Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, also extended his warmest congratulations to Ms. Gracina Colaco on her remarkable achievement of securing Rank 1 in the NEET (UG) examination in Goa. Dr. Sawant expressed his heartfelt wishes for her bright and successful future, recognizing her dedication and hard work that led to this outstanding accomplishment. The Chief Minister’s message highlights the pride and admiration felt by the state for Gracina’s incredible feat, underscoring the significance of her success for the entire Goa community.