A serious medical emergency nearly derailed the IIT dream of 17-year-old Gunjan Kumar from Sitamarhi, Bihar, just months before the JEE Advanced 2026 examination. Diagnosed with pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung, after lifting a heavy object in October 2025, Gunjan was confined to bed for nearly three months during one of the most crucial phases of his preparation. Already living with more than 70% vision impairment, he was unable to attend coaching classes while recovering.
His mother, Gunja, attended his online coaching classes, learnt science concepts herself and prepared handwritten notes so that his studies could continue uninterrupted. Despite the setback, Gunjan secured 91.8 percentile in JEE Main 2026, followed by OBC PwD Rank 50 and Common PwD Rank 120 in JEE Advanced, earning admission to the Computer Science programme at IIT Delhi’s Abu Dhabi campus. His journey has drawn widespread attention for highlighting the role of resilience, family support and accessible learning in overcoming extraordinary challenges.
A Medical Emergency At A Crucial Time
Gunjan moved from Sitamarhi to Kota in 2023 to prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination. On 5 October 2025, he appeared for a routine coaching test. The following day, after lifting an excessively heavy object, he developed severe chest pain and was diagnosed with pneumothorax. Doctors advised complete bed rest until the last week of December, forcing him to miss nearly three months of classroom learning during the most critical phase of preparation ahead of the January examination cycle. Alongside this setback, Gunjan was also living with more than 70% vision impairment and wore spectacles with a power of 9.5. With barely a few weeks remaining before the first JEE Main session in January, the illness threatened to undo years of preparation. Yet, instead of giving up, Gunjan and his family focused on finding ways to keep his learning on track.
A Mother Who Refused To Let Learning Stop
While Gunjan recovered at home, his mother, Gunja, quietly stepped into an unfamiliar role. A homemaker and B.Ed. graduate, she began attending every online coaching class in his place. Despite having no formal background in the advanced science subjects being taught, she carefully followed each lecture, learnt the concepts herself and prepared detailed handwritten notes. Sitting beside her son every day, she ensured that he remained connected to his studies even while confined to bed. Those notes became his classroom during recovery and helped him bridge nearly three months of missed coaching. Reflecting on his journey after the results, Gunjan said examinations test not only knowledge but also courage. His mother summed up her contribution simply by saying, “My son’s dream is my dream.”
Turning Months Of Recovery Into Success
After recovering, Gunjan resumed his preparation using the material compiled during his months of bed rest. The effort paid off when he secured 91.8 percentile in JEE Main 2026, followed by OBC PwD Rank 50 and Common PwD Rank 120 in JEE Advanced. His performance earned him admission to the Computer Science programme at IIT Delhi’s international campus in Abu Dhabi, marking the culmination of a journey shaped by perseverance and family support. Throughout his recovery, Gunjan credited both his teachers and his mother for helping him stay focused despite the disruption. His coaching institute also described his achievement as proof that perseverance, when backed by the right support system, can help students overcome even the toughest setbacks.
A Story That Goes Beyond One Student
Gunjan’s journey also highlights a broader reality faced by many students living with disabilities or serious health conditions. Academic success often depends not only on talent and determination but also on access to healthcare, flexible learning opportunities and strong family support. His experience demonstrates how continuity in education, even during prolonged illness, can make a meaningful difference in helping students pursue their aspirations. It also serves as a reminder that behind many remarkable achievements are parents, teachers and mentors whose efforts often remain unseen but are instrumental in shaping success.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Gunjan Kumar’s story reminds us that extraordinary achievements are rarely built through individual effort alone. Behind many milestones are families, teachers and caregivers whose quiet sacrifices create the conditions for success. His mother’s decision to become his classmate during one of the most challenging phases of his preparation reflects the transformative power of empathy, resilience and unwavering belief in a loved one’s dreams. At the same time, his journey underscores the importance of making education more inclusive and responsive for students facing disabilities or unexpected medical emergencies.
Every learner deserves access to support systems that adapt when life takes an unforeseen turn, ensuring that illness or disability does not become a barrier to opportunity. What more can educational institutions, policymakers and communities do to ensure that students facing serious health challenges receive the support they need to continue pursuing their dreams?
