A 71-year-old NEET UG 2026 aspirant has approached the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, seeking a separate reservation for senior citizens in undergraduate medical admissions.
Ashok Bahar has filed a writ petition requesting a one per cent reservation for eligible senior citizens in MBBS admissions. According to reports, the matter is scheduled to be heard on July 21.
Why Ashok Bahar Is Seeking a Senior Citizen Quota
In his petition, Bahar has argued that while several categories of candidates receive reservations or special provisions in medical admissions and entrance examinations, no such consideration exists for senior citizens.
He contends that if there is no upper age limit for appearing in NEET-UG, senior citizens should also have a meaningful opportunity to secure admission to medical colleges.
His counsel, Pankaj Dheer Singh Rana, has relied on the Supreme Court's earlier decision to remove the upper age limit for NEET-UG. The petition argues that permitting senior citizens to take the examination without providing any supportive admission framework defeats the purpose of removing the age restriction.
A Dream Spanning More Than Five Decades
Bahar's ambition to become a doctor dates back over 50 years. He first appeared for a medical entrance examination in 1974 but was unsuccessful.
He attempted the examination again in 2023 but missed it after arriving late at the examination centre due to travel-related delays. Undeterred, he appeared for NEET UG 2026 in May this year.
According to Bahar, the dream originated with his mother, Savitri Devi, who had hoped to see him become a doctor. Although she passed away in 1990, he says her wish remained with him. He also credits his wife, Dr. Manju Bahar, with encouraging him to pursue his long-standing ambition once again.
He further points out that he belongs to a family with nearly 20 doctors, several of whom are practising overseas.
An Extensive Academic and Professional Career
Despite being 71, Bahar has built an extensive academic and professional profile. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany, Zoology and Chemistry from Lucknow University, a postgraduate diploma in computer applications, a law degree and an MBA.
Professionally, he served as the marketing head for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand at Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited. After opting for voluntary retirement, he worked as a consultant with the Ministry of External Affairs and is currently practising as a lawyer before the High Court.
Bahar maintains that education should not be restricted by age and believes the government should introduce provisions that enable senior citizens to pursue educational aspirations they were unable to fulfil earlier in life.
His petition is now set to be examined by the Allahabad High Court, marking the next chapter in his unusual journey toward a medical career.
