LUCKNOW, May 4 -- In an examination dominated by young aspirants, a 70-year-old candidate from Lucknow stood out for his determination and deeply personal motivation during the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)-2026 held on Sunday.

Ashok Bahar, 70, appeared for NEET-UG in a bid to fulfil his late mother's wish of seeing him become a doctor. He said the aspiration had remained unfulfilled for decades, prompting him to take the test at this stage of life.

Bahar said that while he has acquired substantial medical knowledge over the years, he lacks the formal qualification required to prescribe medicines. His attempt, he explained, is aimed at formally entering the profession and bridging that gap.

He also credited his...