Clearing the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) is the ultimate pathway for aspirants seeking admission to prestigious MBBS
or BDS colleges in India. Every year, the National Testing Agency (NTA) holds India’s largest medical exam to offer candidates a chance to secure good marks and pave the way for their medical journey. Among these aspirants was Prerna Singh, the daughter of an auto-rickshaw driver, who defied the odds to secure a good rank in NEET UG 2023 in her first attempt. Prerna began her NEET UG preparation while living in Kota. In 2018, her father passed away when she was in 10th grade. The news shattered Prerna and her family, and the family’s mental and financial situation deteriorated. On top of that, they had a massive debt of Rs 27 lakh, which further worsened the situation. Assessing the situation, Prerna valorously stepped in and promised to repay the family debt. Studied 10–12 Hours a Day, Survived on Rs 100 Thereafter, Prerna resumed her NEET UG preparation with complete devotion. In a short room that would barely allow one to sit, Prerna used to study 10–12 hours a day as the whole family survived on a Rs 500 monthly pension coming in her mother’s name. Sometimes, relatives would offer financial assistance, as Rs 500 barely buys anything in this economy. Because of money constraints, Prerna would often skip meals, eating just one time a day. Since public transport was not affordable for her, she used to cycle or walk towards her destination. ‘My Father Was My Biggest Inspiration’ Years of dedication and consistency paid off in 2023, when Prerna cleared NEET UG in her first attempt. Of 2.5 lakh candidates who passed, she bagged an All India Rank (AIR) 1,033, with a total score of 686 out of 720. Speaking to a media portal, Prerna said that throughout the journey, her father was her biggest inspiration, as his teachings helped her find a way out. At the time of the interview, Prerna expressed her willingness to continue her education after completing MBBS, while also contributing to medical research in the future.
