Mahesh Kumar, a resident of Nohar, a small town in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district, has become an inspiration by securing the top rank in the NEET-UG 2025 examination with an impressive 99.9 percentile score. His journey is a testament to the power of determination and hard work, shattering the common belief that English-medium students have an inherent advantage in competitive exams.
Initially, Mahesh was hesitant to even pursue science in Class 11. As a Hindi-medium student, he lacked the confidence to tackle challenging entrance exams like JEE or NEET. He considered exploring humanities, with aspirations of cracking the IAS or RAS exams instead. The thought of competing with students from English-medium backgrounds in the science stream seemed daunting.
However, destiny, coupled with his unwavering resolve, led him to overcome his self-doubt. Encouraged by his sister, Himanshi, Mahesh decided to pursue medicine. This motivation, along with strong family support, proved to be the turning point in his journey. His initial apprehension about his Hindi-medium background transformed into a driving force, pushing him to work even harder.
In his coaching classes, Mahesh developed a strategy to effectively navigate between Hindi and English questions while solving practice test papers. This skill proved invaluable in quickly deciphering and answering questions during the actual exam.
Recalling the pressure he felt in the months leading up to the exam, Mahesh mentioned the confusion surrounding the previous year's NEET-UG. The altered question paper format added to the challenge, requiring him to remain calm and focused under pressure.
Despite the difficulties, Mahesh's hard work paid off. While he initially estimated a score below 700, his analysis of the answers revealed a promising rank. However, the reality of topping the exam surpassed all his expectations.
Mahesh's mother, Hemlata Bagwani, a schoolteacher, expressed immense pride in her son's achievement, stating that he had accomplished something they had never imagined. His success not only defied his own self-doubt but also challenged preconceived notions about the capabilities of Hindi-medium students in competitive exams.
Mahesh's story serves as a beacon of hope for countless students who struggle with self-doubt and perceived disadvantages. His journey underscores the importance of perseverance, hard work, and a strong support system in achieving one's goals. He has demonstrated that with determination and the right approach, any obstacle can be overcome, and success is within reach, regardless of one's background or perceived limitations.
