In a remarkable achievement, 17-year-old Geetali Gupta from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, has secured the coveted All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the CLAT 2026 examination for undergraduate law programmes. Her score of 112.75 out of 119 places her at the pinnacle of one of India's most competitive entrance exams, which saw approximately 75,009 candidates vying for seats in National Law Universities (NLUs).
A Philosophy of Balance Over Burnout
Contrary to the stereotypical image of a topper burning the midnight oil, Geetali's preparation was defined by a balanced and guilt-free approach. She never believed in rigid, round-the-clock study schedules. Instead, her strategy was simple: set daily tasks, complete them, and then step away from the books, even in the crucial days leading up to the exam.
Her mindset played a crucial role. "I never felt guilty about whatever score or rank I got," she shared. For her, the key was to focus on analyzing what went wrong and what went right after each mock test or study session, rather than dwelling on outcomes with regret.
The Math Whiz in a Humanities Student
Currently a Class 12 Humanities student with Political Science, History, Geography, Economics, and English, Geetali's academic path was influenced by her interest in Civics from Class 10. Her passion for debating and Political Science naturally drew her towards law.
However, an unexpected facet of her academic profile is a deep fascination for mathematics. "I specifically like maths. Not the other subjects which come in the PCM or PCMB. Just maths," she clarified. This strength directly benefited her CLAT performance, where the Quantitative Techniques section emerged as her strongest. Interestingly, she follows in the footsteps of the CLAT 2025 topper, Saksham Gautam, who also shared a strong mathematical inclination.
Navigating Preparation and Challenges
Geetali began exploring CLAT in Class 11, with serious preparation kicking in only after the conclusion of the CLAT 2025 session. Juggling board exam preparation with CLAT coaching was a challenge, but she credits her school and her coaching institute, Toprankers (Legal Edge), for their cooperation in providing recorded sessions when needed.
She emphasized that self-study and prioritization were key elements. For her, the General Knowledge section was the most challenging due to its vast and unpredictable nature. In Logical Reasoning, critical reasoning posed difficulties during practice, though she found the actual exam focused more on analytical reasoning.
Her approach to mock tests was distinctive: stay relaxed during the test, but be serious and thorough during the analysis phase. She utilized doubt-clearing sessions to understand her mistakes deeply.
Pragmatic Tips for Aspirants
Geetali outlined three core strategies that defined her successful preparation:
- Reject Guilt: Avoid feeling guilty about scores or ranks. Focus instead on constructive analysis of performance.
- Consistency with Compassion: Maintain regularity in studies but allow yourself to relax to prevent burnout.
- Lean on Mentors: Rely on experienced mentors during overwhelming moments for guidance and perspective.
For those beginning their CLAT journey, her advice is to familiarize themselves with previous years' papers, especially the English and Legal Reasoning sections, as they form the exam's foundation.
On the pervasive issue of social media distraction, Geetali advocated a measured approach. She deactivated her Instagram mid-year but didn't impose a complete ban, suggesting aspirants gradually reduce usage rather than quit abruptly.
Future Plans and Reflections
With her top rank, Geetali plans to join NLU Bangalore, attracted by its strong reputation in the legal field. Her long-term vision leans towards corporate law to understand private sector functioning, but she hasn't ruled out government service, including the judiciary or the Judge Advocate General (JAG) exam for military legal services.
Reflecting on her success as one of the few female AIR 1s in recent CLAT history, she cautiously attributes it to a mix of effort and luck. While dismissing the notion that law is male-dominated as a myth, she acknowledges the profession's demanding nature with long hours and minimal work-life balance.
Geetali Gupta's story is a powerful testament to the effectiveness of a balanced, analytical, and guilt-free approach to conquering one of India's toughest entrance exams.
