Altaf from the village of Nawabganj, Bareli district, Uttar Pradesh state, demonstrated an example of perseverance and determination by succeeding in the NEET-2026 exam. His family's financial situation made studying in Kota difficult. Initially, he prepared using online materials and lectures, as well as notes from friends who studied in Kota.
When it became clear that self-study would not lead to his goal, Altaf decided to go to Kota for training. To raise money for his studies, he helped his father sell potatoes by the roadside. Ultimately, on his eighth attempt, Altaf scored 563 marks in NEET-2026, taking a significant step toward realizing his dream of becoming a doctor for himself and his family.
Altaf achieved an All India Rank of 27,910 and a rank of 13,437 in the OBC category. He first took the NEET in 2019, scoring 323 marks. Despite this, he did not give up and continued preparing. He studied materials provided by students who returned from Kota and watched online lectures. In 2022, his score increased to 516, and in 2023 and 2024, he reached 590 marks. However, due to the high admission threshold in those years, he could not enter medical college. In 2025, he scored 501, and in 2026, on his eighth attempt, he succeeded with 563 marks.
Altaf believes that anything is possible if a person is determined. He prepared for a long time without tutors but felt a lack of proper direction and guidance. After that, he came to Kota and studied for a year at Aln Career Institute. He noted that in Kota, he was able to absorb what he couldn't grasp in seven years. Teachers and friends provided him with great help in his preparation; some notes and some guidance were crucial for his preparation.
Altaf completed the 10th and 12th grades under the UP Board, achieving about 85 percent in both classes.
One incident strengthened his desire to become a doctor. After finishing 12th grade, he started working with his father on a potato cart. His elder brother used to transport potatoes from the Bareli market around two in the morning. One day, he was involved in an accident. This incident deeply affected Altaf, making him realize that he needed to change his life for the better.
Altaf shared that in the village of Nawabganj, about 10-12 children successfully pass NEET every year and get admitted to medical colleges, which served as a source of inspiration for him. It was this inspiration, along with the resolve to become a doctor after his brother's accident, that gave him the strength for continuous NEET preparation.
Altaf's family's financial situation was a serious obstacle. His father, Iqbal Hussain Ansari, supported the family by selling potatoes by the roadside. Raising funds for education in Kota was not easy, so Altaf helped his father sell potatoes to pay for his studies and travel to Kota. After a year of preparation at Aln, his hard work finally bore fruit.
Altaf believes that if he had come to Kota earlier, he might have been admitted sooner. He spent seven years trying, but constantly felt a lack of quality education and guidance. Coming to Kota filled this gap, and he succeeded on his eighth attempt.
Altaf's success is also linked to his family's struggle. His father, Iqbal Hussain, only completed education up to the ninth grade, and his mother is illiterate. The family lives off potato sales. Until 2015, they lived in a hut, after which they built a permanent two-room house where 12 family members reside.
Altaf has one elder brother and eight sisters; all his sisters are married. Due to family responsibilities and constant expenses, his father could not save much money. The youngest sister got married in 2023. Despite all these financial and family concerns, Altaf did not give up on his studies or his dream of becoming a doctor.
Altaf's father, Iqbal Hussain, admitted that he never expected his son to become a doctor. Since the family relies on potato sales, their financial situation was not very stable. He supported his son within his means. His father also believes that if Altaf had gone to Kota earlier, he could have been admitted in previous years.
Navin Maheshwari, founder of Aln Career Institute, called Altaf's success a source of motivation for other students. He emphasized that Kota is full of such success stories. Here, students prepare to utilize their potential to the best of their ability and strive for excellence. This is why the results achieved in Kota become new hope and motivation for many students.