From Selling Potatoes to Chasing a Medical Dream: Bareilly’s Altaf Clears NEET-UG 2026 in 8th Attempt
joined ALLEN Career Institute, Kota, where he spent a year preparing for the medical entrance examination. His efforts finally paid off.
Determination can turn even the most difficult circumstances into a story of success. The inspiring journey of Altaf, from Nawabganj in Bareilly district, is a testament to the power of persistence, self-belief and the courage to keep trying.
After appearing for the NEET examination continuously from 2019 to 2026, Altaf finally achieved his goal in his eighth attempt, scoring 563 marks in NEET-UG 2026. He secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 27,910 and 13,437th rank in the OBC category.
What makes his achievement particularly inspiring is his humble background. Coming from a financially struggling family, Altaf initially prepared for NEET using notes and study material collected from students in his town who had studied in Kota. When he realised that he needed structured coaching to take his preparation to the next level, he decided to move to Kota.
To arrange money for his coaching, Altaf and his father sold potatoes. He subsequently joined ALLEN Career Institute, Kota, where he spent a year preparing for the medical entrance examination. His efforts finally paid off.
From 323 Marks to 563: Eight Years of Persistence
Altaf first appeared for NEET in 2019 and scored 323 marks. Despite the setback, he continued his preparation.
For several years, he relied on study material and notes from students who had returned from Kota, along with online lectures. His score improved significantly, reaching 516 marks in 2022 and around 590 marks in 2023 and 2024. However, because of the high cut-offs in those years, he could not secure admission to a medical college.
In 2025, he scored 501 marks before making his breakthrough in NEET-UG 2026 with 563 marks.
Altaf completed both his Class 10 and Class 12 education under the UP Board, securing 85 percent marks in both examinations.
Brother’s Accident Strengthened His Determination to Become a Doctor
Altaf says that a tragic incident involving his elder brother changed his outlook towards life.
After completing Class 12, he started helping his father at their roadside potato stall. His elder brother used to travel to Bareilly Mandi around 2 a.m. to bring potatoes for the family business. One day, his brother met with an accident.
The incident had a deep impact on Altaf. It made him think about his future and motivated him to pursue a career in medicine.
He was also inspired by students from Nawabganj who were successfully clearing NEET and securing admission to medical colleges every year.
“If You Are Determined, Anything Is Possible”
Reflecting on his success, Altaf said that determination can make even difficult goals achievable.
He believes that his year at Kota helped him learn things that he had been unable to learn during the previous seven years of preparation. According to him, the structured environment and guidance he received at ALLEN helped address the gap in his preparation.
Altaf expressed gratitude to his teachers, friends and everyone who supported him throughout his journey. Some people provided him with notes, while others offered guidance and encouragement that helped him continue moving forward.
He said that becoming a doctor is not only his personal achievement but also the fulfilment of his family’s dream.
Father Sold Potatoes to Support His Son’s Dream
Altaf’s father, Iqbal Hussain Ansari, earns a living by selling potatoes at a roadside stall in Nawabganj.
He says that the family had never imagined that Altaf would eventually become a doctor. Given their financial circumstances, their dreams were modest. However, when Altaf decided to pursue medicine, the family supported him as much as they could.
His father believes that if Altaf had been able to join Kota earlier, the result might have come several years ago.
A Family That Fought Financial Challenges
Altaf comes from a financially disadvantaged family. His mother, Kubran, is illiterate, while his father studied only up to Class 9.
Until 2015, the family lived in a kutcha house. Later, they built a two-room permanent house where 12 family members lived. Altaf has one elder brother and eight sisters, all of whom are now married. The marriage expenses of the sisters made it difficult for his father to save money.
The youngest sister was married in 2023, after which Altaf continued pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor.
ALLEN Founder Calls Altaf’s Journey an Inspiration
Speaking about Altaf’s achievement, ALLEN Career Institute Founder Naveen Maheshwari said that his success story is an inspiration for other students.
He highlighted Kota’s role as an environment where students receive the guidance and preparation needed to give their best and achieve better results.
Altaf’s journey—from studying through borrowed notes and online lectures to selling potatoes with his father to fund his coaching, and ultimately clearing NEET after eight attempts—stands as a powerful reminder that financial limitations do not necessarily have to define a student’s dreams.
His story is not just about clearing an examination; it is about refusing to give up on a dream, even after years of setbacks.
