This 70-Year-Old Lucknow Man Took NEET With Teenagers — Now He’s Moving Court For Justice | Lucknow-news News
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Ashok Bahar sat for NEET at 70 with dreams of finally becoming a doctor. But after the exam was cancelled, the Lucknow aspirant says the shock left him seriously unwell
NEET Exam Cancellation: Ashok Bahar is now preparing to approach the Allahabad High Court over the issue.
While most people slow down after retirement, 70-year-old Ashok Bahar from Lucknow chose to chase a dream he had carried for decades: becoming a doctor.
On May 3, Ashok Bahar appeared for the NEET UG 2026 examination alongside lakhs of young aspirants. His story quickly gained attention online, with many social media users praising his determination, discipline and refusal to give up on his ambition despite his age.
However, the recent cancellation of the NEET examination has now left him devastated.
‘The Decision Broke Me From Inside’
Speaking after the cancellation, Ashok Bahar said the decision came as a massive emotional shock. According to him, this was his third attempt at clearing the medical entrance examination, and he had pinned enormous hopes on this year’s paper. “I was so shocked that I actually fell sick,” he said during an interview. “Not just me… think about the 2.2 million students who prepared day and night for this exam.”
He said the cancellation deeply affected candidates who had invested months, and in some cases years, preparing for the highly competitive test.
Ashok Bahar is now preparing to approach the Allahabad High Court over the issue. He believes elderly aspirants face unique challenges and cannot repeatedly sit for the same examination cycle. He has demanded that the marks obtained in the cancelled May 3 examination should be treated as final.
Alongside this, he has also sought 1% reservation for senior citizens in medical admissions, arguing that age should not become a barrier for those still committed to learning and serving society.
A Promise Linked To His Family’s Legacy
For Ashok Bahar, medicine is not simply a late-life career choice – it is tied to family, memory and an unfinished personal promise.
He says his mother, Savitri Devi, always dreamed of seeing him become a doctor. His father was also a respected medical practitioner in Lucknow, and even after his mother’s death, the aspiration remained alive in his mind.
His wife, Dr Manju Bahar, a practising gynaecologist, encouraged him to return to studies and attempt the examination again. Around 20 doctors are reportedly part of his extended family, with several practising overseas.
First Medical Entrance Attempt Was In 1974
Ashok Bahar revealed that he first attempted a medical entrance examination in 1974, when the test was known as CPMT. However, he was unable to secure admission at the time.
Decades later, he attempted the examination process again in 2023, but failed to appear because he could not reach the examination centre in time due to the long travel distance.
In 2026, he finally managed to sit for the NEET examination once more.
Self-Study At 70 Without Coaching
Unlike many modern aspirants, Ashok Bahar did not enroll in any coaching institute for preparation.
Instead, he relied entirely on self-study and educational material shared by friends and well-wishers. He said he already possesses considerable knowledge about medicines through years of exposure, but cannot officially prescribe treatment because he lacks a medical degree.
That limitation, he says, became one of the biggest reasons for taking NEET at this stage of life.
A Long Academic And Professional Journey
Ashok Bahar studied at Lucknow University, where he completed a B.Sc degree with Botany, Zoology and Chemistry.
He later pursued postgraduate studies in Computer Applications and also earned both a law degree and an MBA.
Professionally, he worked for several years as the marketing head of Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. After taking voluntary retirement, he worked as a consultant with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Over the years, he also served as the editor of a local newspaper and practised part-time as a lawyer.
Dreaming Of A Rural Ashram And Free Medical Service
Ashok Bahar is currently building ‘Divya Prem Ashram’ in his native village, Gehru, near Lucknow.
He says his ultimate goal is to serve people living in rural areas after obtaining a medical degree. He hopes to provide treatment to the needy and dedicate the later years of his life to social service.
Specialisation In Liver Diseases
Even at 70, Ashok Bahar says he is not interested in merely earning the title of a doctor. His larger ambition is to specialise in hepatology, the study and treatment of liver diseases. According to him, lifestyle illnesses such as fatty liver disease are increasing rapidly and becoming a major health concern in India.
He believes working in this field would allow him to help a larger number of patients in need.
NEET Refund Demands Gain Momentum Online
Meanwhile, the cancellation of the examination has also triggered growing demands from students and parents regarding refunds and compensation.
Many aspirants on social media have questioned whether examination fees, travel expenses and accommodation costs incurred for the cancelled test will be reimbursed. Students from smaller towns have particularly raised concerns over the financial and emotional burden caused by uncertainty surrounding the examination process.
For aspirants like Ashok Bahar, however, the issue goes beyond money. After decades of waiting and years of preparation, he says the cancelled examination feels like a deeply personal setback in a lifelong journey towards fulfilling a dream.
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