Jay Kishore Pradhan, a 64-year-old retired employee of the State Bank of India (SBI), has broken age-related stereotypes by successfully clearing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) in 2024. Pradhan’s remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the power of determination, perseverance, and the belief that it’s never too late to pursue one’s dreams, even after decades in a different profession.
Pradhan spent a long and fulfilling career in the banking sector, but his aspiration to study medicine never faded. For many years, he nurtured a quiet ambition of becoming a doctor, something that had remained unfulfilled during his youth. After retirement, he found the time and the focus to dedicate himself fully to preparing for one of India’s most competitive exams. Despite the inherent challenges of re-entering formal education after decades and the rigorous nature of the NEET exam, Pradhan was not deterred.
His journey to success was far from easy. NEET, which is a gateway for admission to undergraduate medical programs across the country, is typically attempted by students in their late teens or early twenties, making his achievement even more extraordinary. For Pradhan, the preparation involved revisiting high-school-level physics, chemistry, and biology – subjects that are not only challenging but also highly demanding in terms of time and focus. Balancing this at his age required immense dedication and patience.
Pradhan’s success challenges the widely held belief in India that academic pursuits, particularly in fields like medicine, are primarily meant for the young. His story serves as an inspiration to others, highlighting that learning is a lifelong process and that age should never be a barrier to education or personal growth.
Beyond personal satisfaction, Pradhan’s achievement also sheds light on broader societal shifts. As India continues to evolve, there is a growing recognition of the importance of lifelong learning and the possibility of career changes or new educational pursuits, irrespective of age. His story symbolizes hope for many who might have given up on their dreams, proving that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
Pradhan is now preparing for the next chapter of his journey: securing admission into a medical college and realizing his long-held dream of becoming a doctor.