Ramlal Bhoi, a young man from Ghosunda village in Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan, has achieved a remarkable feat by clearing the fiercely competitive NEET‑UG medical entrance examination after five attempts, despite being forced into child marriage at age 11 and becoming a father by 20.

Coming from a financially weak family with limited educational support, he improved his scores steadily from 350 in his first try in 2019 to a successful qualification in 2023 and is now set to pursue medical education.

While national authorities like the National Testing Agency (NTA) have not issued official commentary on his individual success, local educators and community leaders have praised his resilience against societal and economic odds. His story highlights the challenges aspirants face in one of India’s most difficult examinations, where over 12 lakh candidates qualified in NEET‑UG 2025 from more than 22 lakh who appeared.

A Journey of Hardship, Learning and Perseverance

The National Eligibility‑cum‑Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET‑UG) is regarded as one of the most daunting competitive examinations in India, requiring aspirants to master Physics, Chemistry and Biology to secure admission to MBBS and BDS programmes. For Ramlal Bhoi, the path was far from conventional.

Born into a low‑income family living in a modest kutcha house near the Bhedach river, his early years were marked by hardship and limited opportunities. At the age of just 11, while in Class 6, he was married off by his family a decision shaped by prevailing local customs rather than his own choice.

Despite the challenges of early marriage and later becoming a father at 20, Ramlal remained committed to his studies. Initially, his father was opposed to continued schooling after Class 10, a stance common in conservative rural settings where formal education beyond basic levels is often not prioritised.

At one point, familial tension escalated to the point where his father even hit him for insisting on studying further. Yet, his resolve did not waver. Eventually, with the persuasion of a family friend and the guidance of supportive teachers, his father agreed to back his education and even took a loan to facilitate coaching.

After scoring 74 per cent in his Class 10 exams from a government school, Ramlal chose the science stream for Classes 11 and 12 a decision that laid the foundation for his NEET journey.

Though he did not initially know about NEET or its importance for medical careers, conversations with peers and teachers helped shape his ambitions. He began attempting the exam in 2019, juggling self‑study and later formal coaching in Kota when his family could afford it.

From Repeated Attempts to Final Success

Ramlal’s early NEET scores reflected both the gap in preparation resources and the steep learning curve that aspirants face: 350 in 2019, around 320 in 2020 and approximately 362 in 2021.

Recognising the need for structured guidance, he enrolled at a reputed coaching centre, after which his score rose to 490 in the 2022 examination. Still, it wasn’t enough to secure admission. Finally, on his fifth attempt in 2023, his preparation paid off and he qualified the exam, earning the opportunity to enter medical education.

His success has been celebrated locally, with teachers and community members highlighting how his determination inspired others in his village. His father, now proud of his son’s achievements, has spoken about changing attitudes toward education in their community especially in encouraging the schooling of younger siblings and challenging outdated norms.

While Ramlal’s case is deeply personal, it unfolds against the backdrop of the most recent NEET‑UG examination patterns. The NEET‑UG 2025 cycle saw over 22.09 lakh candidates appear, of whom more than 12.36 lakh qualified for undergraduate medical courses across India. Rajasthan itself produced several high achievers, including Mahesh Kumar, who topped the national list with a score of 686 a marker of just how competitive the exam remains.

However, the NEET landscape has not been without controversy. In 2025, officials acted swiftly to foil suspected paper‑leak scams, arresting individuals for attempting to sell leaked questions, even as authorities reiterated that the exam was conducted securely with robust safeguards. This underscores the pressures and anxieties surrounding the test for millions of aspirants and their families.

Understanding the Broader Context

NEET’s significance in India goes beyond educational meritocracy; it is a gateway to careers that are highly respected and financially rewarding, but also emotionally and academically demanding. In recent years, media reporting, student narratives and academic studies have highlighted not only success stories but also the mental trauma many aspirants endure from extreme pressure and performance anxieties to stories of heartbreak and loss when expectations are not met. These broader discussions shape how families and policymakers think about competitive exams and student well‑being.

Ramlal’s story, then, becomes part of two intersecting narratives: one of personal perseverance and another of structural challenges within India’s educational system. It touches on issues such as child marriage, rural educational access, socio‑economic barriers and the psychological toll of high‑stakes examinations.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At its heart, Ramlal’s achievement is a testament to human resilience, the transformative power of education, and the critical role of support systems be they family, teachers, or community mentors. His journey reminds us that talent and determination can flourish when barriers are met with encouragement rather than dismissal. Yet, his story also urges us to confront systemic inequities: why should a child who was married against his will have to fight societal norms to pursue his dreams? How can schools, local governments and civil society work together to provide equal learning opportunities and prevent practices such as child marriage that impede educational advancement?