'Failed NEET, got into Ivy League': Indian woman shares how she got biotech job in US after failing the medical exam in 2016

In 2026, NEET exams gained all the headlines, but not for the right reasons. People made news not because of the results or rankings but due to the paper leak that led to many getting depressed and others taking their lives. Amidst this entire debate of the prominence of an examination over a person's entire life, one person has emerged as a hope and idol- Pragya Gupta.In a video gaining traction on the internet, an Indian-origin content creator has shared how she failed her NEET examination almost a decade ago and still turned out exemplary in life. Gupta, now a corporate professional in biotechnology, went on to study at an Ivy League college and find a successful career in the biotech industry. Her story has struck a chord online among users who were feeling hopeless and disheartened due to the intense pressure surrounding competitive entrances in India.In 2016, Pragya appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) at the age of 17 but failed to secure admission into a medical or dental college. Like many students in India's extremely competitive academic environment, she initially believed the setback had ended her career ambitions in the field of biology and healthcare.She shared how the disappointment deeply affected her and her family, especially since medical entrance exams are often viewed as defining milestones for students pursuing science streams in India.However, instead of attempting the same exam pathway again, Gupta eventually chose to explore other alternatives connecting to her interest in biology. She moved to the United States and earned a graduate degree from Columbia University, one of the world's leading Ivy League Institutions. In her video, she explained how her life took a turn for the better after the setback, showing herself as a role model for the youth who is hustling to clear the examination."Failing NEET in 2016 made me believe my shot at a good life was over. Turns out I just needed to think outside the box. Undergraduate degree that actually made sense for me, coupled with Masters in the US, a career in Corporate biotech and never touching pipettes again. The version of me crying over that result could never have imagined that life would look like this in 10 years," she wrote in the caption of the video.In a conversation with The Times of India, Gupta shared how there are numerous other careers when a student takes the combination of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. "A biology student can become a cancer researcher, a life science consultant, a forensic expert, a business developer, or a project manager. The options are truly endless," she said.According to her, students should keep exploring other options along with the examinations. "The earlier you explore your options, the more time you save. I've met NEET students who spent many years redoing NEET, when their true calling was something entirely different," she added.Gupta shared how she had seen people give up friendships, hobbies, and their mental health for one exam, leaving them unbeknownst to themselves. "That's the real tragedy. Not the rank," she added.