Rohit Kumar’s days began early and ended late. Under the harsh summer sun, he and his brother sold mobile phone covers at a small roadside stall in Jamshedpur’s bustling Sakchi Market. When the market shut down at night, his second life began — that of a medical aspirant. With only a few hours of sleep, a plastic chair, and a borrowed mobile phone for online classes, Rohit studied until 3 a.m.
This month, the 20-year-old’s double life culminated in a singular triumph: he scored 549 marks in NEET-UG 2025, earning an All India Rank of 12,484, and bringing him a step closer to a government medical college seat — and a life he once only dreamed of.
A Day of Hustle, A Night of Hope
“I used to work all day and study till 3 in the morning,” Rohit said in a recent interview. “Then I would wake up at 7 a.m. and go back to the stall. That was my routine.”
Born into a modest household — his father sells vegetables, his mother is a homemaker — Rohit’s education was always a financial stretch. During the pandemic, while working part-time in a medical store, he discovered his interest in healthcare. That curiosity matured into purpose.
In 2024, he attempted NEET for the first time and scored 485. Not satisfied, he decided to try again. With no means for expensive coaching, he joined PhysicsWallah’s Yakeen 2.0 online course, watching hours of lectures late at night after work. His dedication caught the attention of the platform’s founder, Alakh Pandey, who later visited his stall to personally congratulate him.
A Moment of Recognition
In a video that has since gone viral, Pandey presented Rohit with a white doctor’s coat — a symbolic gesture that brought tears to the young aspirant’s eyes. “This is for every student who believes that hard work matters more than money,” Pandey said.
For Rohit, the gesture marked not just recognition, but validation. “It felt like someone finally saw the struggle behind the score,” he said.
Against All Odds
Rohit’s story is not unique in its hardship — thousands of students across India face similar challenges. But what sets him apart is the relentlessness with which he pursued his dream, despite juggling economic survival and academic ambition. He studied on a phone with limited internet. He never had a private tutor. He had no air-conditioned study room. Just a folding table, a plastic chair, and the will to not give up.
Looking Ahead
With his rank, Rohit now hopes to get admission into a government medical college in Jharkhand. He’s not only chasing a profession — he’s chasing dignity, purpose, and the chance to lift his family out of poverty.
His story has already inspired thousands, with messages of support flooding social media. “If I can do it from a market stall,” he says, “anyone can.”
A Dream Beyond the Scorecard
Rohit Kumar’s journey is a reminder that the path to success is not always straight, comfortable, or paved with privilege. Sometimes, it winds through crowded markets, runs on borrowed time, and is lit by the glow of a mobile phone screen at 3 a.m.
