The results of the CET 2026 have shown a stark contrast in performance between students from government PU colleges and those from private institutions. Only 12 students from government colleges secured places within the top 1,000 ranks, with none appearing in the top 100. A total of 8,414 students applied from government colleges, but only 7,620 participated in the exam. The performance of rural students was similarly disappointing, with only 79 making it into the top 1,000 ranks and 499 in the top 5,000. The situation is further compounded for Kannada-medium students, who only had nine in the top 1,000 ranks and 75 in the top 5,000. These results underscore the systemic educational challenges faced by government and rural students, raising concerns about equality in educational opportunities across different demographics. The findings call for urgent attention to improve the educational infrastructure and support mechanisms for these underperforming groups.