Ganesh Baraiya, a 25-year-old from Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district, has become a doctor after a seven-year legal battle against the Medical Council of India (MCI) and Gujarat government, who denied him MBBS admission in 2018 due to his three-foot height and 72 per cent locomotor disability from dwarfism.
Weighing just 20 kg, he cleared NEET but faced rejection over concerns about handling emergencies; supported by school principal Dr Dalpatbhai Katariya, he lost in Gujarat High Court but won in the Supreme Court in 2019, joining Bhavnagar Medical College.
He completed his degree, internship, and on November 27, 2025, started as a medical officer, aspiring to serve rural poor. MCI officials have not issued recent statements, but the ruling underscores non-discrimination in admissions.
Defying Physical Limits
Baraiya’s story humanises the fight against prejudice in medicine. Born into a farming family of eight siblings in Gorakhi village, he grew up in a modest home, facing dwarfism that limited mobility yet fuelled his resolve. After Class 12 and NEET success, MCI dismissed him without examination, prompting appeals to district collectors and ministers.
“I want to treat poor people in rural areas where the need is greatest,” Baraiya stated in a report by NDTV, reflecting his empathy-driven goal. Principal Katariya funded the legal fight, proving community support’s power. Disability advocates praise this as a model for judging competence over stature.
Baraiya’s passion drives him to serve rural poor, choosing less demanding fields like dermatology if needed, proving competence trumps stature. This resilience inspires, showing human spirit triumphs over physical limits, motivating millions to persevere.
Legal Battle and Milestones
The saga unfolded in 2018 when Gujarat barred Baraiya and two other disabled candidates from MBBS, citing physical unfitnes.
He pursued BSc meanwhile, then escalated to Gujarat High Court, which upheld the denial, before Supreme Court intervened in 2019, mandating 2019-batch admission since that year’s seats closed. Enrolled at Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, he endured five years of study plus internship despite challenges.
Recent updates confirm his qualification as one of the world’s shortest doctors, with first posting at a government facility on November 27, 2025. This precedent urges policy reforms for inclusive medical education.
Family Struggles and Future Vision
Baraiya’s family endured poverty, parents farming in a kachcha house, yet backed his dreams amid seven sisters and one brother.
According to a TOI report, post-victory, he prioritises building a proper home for them. His journey exposes systemic gaps, like unassessed abilities, sparking national discourse on disability rights in professions. No fresh MCI comments emerged, but courts affirmed merit-based access. Now practising, Baraiya eyes rural service, embodying perseverance.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Baraiya’s triumph champions empathy, equality, and breaking barriers through dialogue and kindness, aligning with harmonious coexistence. It demands institutions prioritise talent over biases, fostering positive change via inclusive policies. The Logical Indian urges society to amplify such stories for broader reform.
