A mother and a seventy-two-year-old defy limits in NEET UG 2025

In an extraordinary display of resilience, empowerment, and the enduring spirit of learning, two women from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have defied conventional expectations in the 2025 National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), held on May 4. Their stories of determination not only highlight the power of second chances but also reflect the growing inclusivity in India’s educational landscape.

Bhukya Sarita, a 38-year-old Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) from Manchyanayak Thanda in Tungaturthi Mandal, Suryapet district, decided to appear for the NEET exam alongside her daughter Kaveri. Sarita’s journey has been one of interrupted aspirations. She was forced to abandon her BSc Nursing studies in 2007 due to marriage and family commitments. Over the years, raising her two daughters and supporting her family had taken precedence. However, as her daughter Kaveri began preparing for NEET coaching, Sarita’s long-held dream of becoming a doctor was reignited.

Motivated by Kaveri’s pursuit of her medical career and encouraged by her family, Sarita made the decision to chase her dream and appeared for the NEET exam. Despite her age and balancing family responsibilities, Sarita worked tirelessly to prepare for one of India’s toughest entrance exams.

In another remarkable turn of events, Pothula Venkatalakshmi, a 72-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh, stunned everyone when she appeared for the NEET 2025 exam at the Government Women’s Polytechnic College in Kakinada. Among the young aspirants, Venkatalakshmi’s composed presence stood out.

Her participation was made possible after the National Medical Commission lifted the upper age limit for NEET in 2022, enabling candidates of all ages to apply. Venkatalakshmi’s decision to pursue her dream of studying medicine despite her age has since earned admiration from across the state, symbolising that determination knows no age limit.

Sarita and Venkatalakshmi’s stories serve as powerful reminders that the pursuit of education and one’s dreams is not bound by age, circumstances, or setbacks. They embody the spirit of perseverance and the growing inclusivity in India’s education system, where it is never too late to follow one’s ambitions.