Success Story: She Built A Tech Firm In Bengaluru, Then Left It All To Study MBBS At 40 | Bengaluru-news News
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A Bengaluru-based tech entrepreneur left her engineering career at 40 to study MBBS from scratch. Her journey from software engineer to doctor is going viral
Janhavi Rao moved to Bengaluru in 2002 with her engineer husband after working as a software engineer at top American tech companies. (X/@VikasAlwys)
Engineer to Doctor Motivational Story: At 40, when most professionals are easing into a settled routine, this Bengaluru-based techie-turned-entrepreneur walked into a medical college classroom to start MBBS from scratch.
Janhavi Ajit Rao’s story is now going viral on social media, with people calling her decision fearless and her spirit inspiring.
Janhavi Rao moved to Bengaluru in 2002 with her engineer husband after working as a software engineer at top American tech companies. Back in India, she continued working with leading firms before starting her own technology company in the defence electronics sector — all based out of the city.
It was in Bengaluru, in 2003, that her life took an unexpected turn. She was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune disease, just as her tech career was peaking. Watching doctors closely during her own treatment left a deep impression on her — enough to plant the idea of leaving engineering behind for medicine.
A decade later, in 2013, Janhavi enrolled as an MBBS student at Bengaluru’s MS Ramaiah Medical College at age of 40. Returning to classrooms and competing with students half her age after nearly two decades in a different profession was no small challenge, but she stayed the course. Eight years of hard work later, she earned her MBBS degree.
Janhavi was born in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, and holds a Bachelor’s in Electronics from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master’s from UC Santa Barbara. Today, at 47, she is pursuing her MD while working as a Primary Care Physician in the United States.
A user named Vikas shared Janhavi’s story on X, sparking a wave of admiration online. Reacting to the post, one user wrote that it’s never too old to learn something new, and never too late to start over.
Meet Janhavi Ajit Rao.After spending 18 years as a software engineer, she made a decision that very few people would dare to make.At the age of 40, she quit her successful engineering career and joined MBBS to become a doctor.
She studied Electronics in California, worked at… pic.twitter.com/DioVAAnGDt
— Vikas Alwys (@VikasAlwys) July 3, 2026
“She proves that age is just a number … not a barrier,” he said.
One of the users commented on the post, saying he met Janhavi in person, and described her as “energetic and inspiring”.
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