At 57, Lucknow man takes NEET 2026 to pursue medical dream
Lucknow: Returning to formal education after decades, a 57-year-old candidate from Lucknow appeared for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG), which was conducted across India on Sunday, May 3.
This candidate has been identified as Ashok Bahar, a resident of Chandra Nagar in Alam Nagar. He was working as the Marketing Head at a fertiliser manufacturing company and took voluntary retirement in the year 2000.
His decision to sit for the exam was inspired by his long-standing interest in the medical field. Even after retirement, the idea of formally pursuing medical studies persisted in his mind.
Bahar's wife, who is a doctor, works as a physician in the United States. Bahar said that being around the profession over the years gave him some understanding of medicines, but not the credentials required to practise.
Speaking to IndiaToday after the exam, he said, "I have long had an interest in the field of medicine. I felt that if I wanted to contribute in a meaningful way, I needed proper training and a recognized qualification. Without a formal degree, one cannot treat patients. That is why I decided to take the NEET exam”.
Although he did not share detailed information regarding his study routine, he acknowledged that resuming studies after a long hiatus requires some readjustment.“It takes time to get back into it, but it is possible with focus,” he said.
Meanwhile, officials at the examination centre stated that no special arrangements had been made for him. He completed the entire process just like any other candidate, adhering to the same rules regarding entry, verification, and the examination itself. Bahar's participation places him among that select group of candidates who take this examination at a later stage of life.
