51-year-old Tamil Nadu man with 2 PhDs, MBA clears NEET to become doctor 34 years after class 12

A 51-year-old man from Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district has cleared NEET to pursue his long-standing dream of becoming a medical doctor, 34 years after completing his Plus Two. According to a PTI report, A Suresh Kumar has now been allotted a seat at Nagapattinam Medical College, located close to his home in Velankanni.

Kumar's journey is particularly striking because he already holds two PhDs and an MBA and has built a professional career in the pharmaceutical and diagnostic sectors. However, his ambition to study medicine remained unfulfilled for more than three decades.

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51-Year-Old Suresh Kumar Clears NEET After 34 Years

Kumar completed his Class 12 education in 1992 and says he had wanted to pursue medicine ever since. Family responsibilities, however, led him to choose pharmacy instead and build a career in the pharmaceutical and diagnostic industries.

Despite his professional achievements and multiple academic qualifications, his dream of becoming a doctor never went away.

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The opportunity to pursue it came after the Supreme Court removed the age limit for NEET, according to PTI. Encouraged by the change, Kumar decided to prepare for the medical entrance examination.

Suresh Kumar Studied For NEET While Working

Preparing for NEET at the age of 51 while managing professional and family responsibilities required a strict routine.

Kumar said he would return from work and study late into the night, often sitting with his books from 10 pm until midnight. His wife supported his preparation and would wake him as early as 4 am, while also helping him maintain a disciplined study schedule.

He also kept himself connected with biology by tutoring his son in the subject.

“Despite working, I spent the nights studying and even tutored my son in biology to stay in touch with the subject,” he said.

Kumar also regularly practised with previous years' question papers to assess his preparation.

He Took Multiple NEET Attempts Before Succeeding

Kumar's preparation was not limited to a single examination attempt.

According to PTI, he assessed his performance annually between 2023 and 2025, using previous years' question papers to understand his progress and identify areas that needed improvement.

His first attempt did not produce the desired result. He had written the examination in Tamil but later decided to switch to English.

The change worked in his favour, particularly because of his three decades of professional experience working in English.

NEET Seat Allotted Under Special Quota

Kumar qualified through a special quota following a road accident in the past that left him with a lasting injury affecting his physical mobility.

Despite the injury, he has maintained a strong focus on his physical fitness and education.

His NEET success has now brought him a step closer to the ambition he first developed after completing school more than three decades ago.

‘Age Is Just A Number’, Says Suresh Kumar

Kumar said he is excited about beginning medical college alongside students who are much younger than him.

“At 51, I maintain a high level of physical fitness and believe that age is just a number,” Kumar told reporters, according to PTI.

He also said he did not want to reach the end of his life with the regret of leaving a long-held ambition unfulfilled.

His admission to Nagapattinam Medical College, close to his hometown, has made the next stage of his journey even more meaningful.

Wife Played Key Role In His NEET Preparation

Kumar credits his wife with providing crucial support throughout his preparation.

She encouraged him to resign from his job so that he could devote more time to studying. She also helped him maintain a demanding daily routine, including early-morning study sessions and regular preparation.

Balancing work, family responsibilities and NEET preparation was challenging, but Kumar remained committed to his goal.

From Pharmacy Professional To Medical Student At 51

Kumar's academic and professional journey has already taken him through several fields. With two PhDs, an MBA and experience in pharmacy, pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, he had established himself professionally long before returning to his school-level dream.

Yet, for him, becoming a doctor remained unfinished business.

His decision to attempt NEET demonstrates how he continued working towards that goal despite the passage of 34 years.

Now, after clearing the medical entrance examination and securing a seat near his home, Kumar is preparing to enter medical college at 51.


Inputs from PTI