Bihar Student Overcomes Collapsed Lung to Crack JEE Advanced 2026, Secures IIT Delhi Admission
Bihar Student Beats Collapsed Lung, Severe Vision Impairment to Crack JEE Advanced 2026; Mother's Dedication Leads Him to IIT Delhi
A Bihar student overcame a collapsed lung, severe vision impairment, and months of recovery to crack JEE Advanced 2026. His mother’s handwritten notes helped him secure admission to IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi.
Patna: In a remarkable story of determination, resilience, and a mother’s unconditional support, 17-year-old Gunjan Kumar from Bihar’s Sitamarhi has secured admission to IIT Delhi’s Abu Dhabi campus after overcoming a life-threatening illness during his JEE preparation. His inspiring journey has captured national attention and serves as a powerful reminder that perseverance can overcome even the toughest challenges.
A Medical Emergency That Changed Everything
Gunjan moved to Kota, Rajasthan, in 2023 to prepare for one of India’s toughest engineering entrance examinations. However, his dreams were suddenly interrupted when he developed severe chest pain and was diagnosed with pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
The condition required immediate surgery and left him bedridden for nearly three months. During this difficult period, he also struggled with more than 70% vision impairment, requiring high-powered glasses. Instead of preparing for one of the country’s most competitive exams, Gunjan was focused on recovering from a serious medical condition.
Recalling those days, Gunjan said he wasn’t even thinking about IIT because he wasn’t physically able to sit up and study.
Mother Refused to Let His Dream End
When Gunjan was unable to continue attending coaching classes, his mother, Gunja Kumari, stepped forward in an extraordinary way.
A homemaker and a B.Ed graduate in Social Science, she had no recent academic background in Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics. Nevertheless, she began attending her son’s online coaching classes herself.
Every recorded lecture became her classroom.
For every one-hour lecture, she spent nearly two-and-a-half hours preparing detailed handwritten notes. She carefully revised every topic and regularly questioned Gunjan to ensure he remembered everything he had studied.
Those handwritten notes eventually became the foundation of Gunjan’s revision after his recovery.
Only Three Weeks Left Before JEE Main
Gunjan recovered only in December, leaving him with barely three weeks to prepare for the JEE Main examination in January.
Despite having lost several crucial months of preparation, he remained determined. Using the notes prepared by his mother, he revised the entire syllabus in a short period and gradually regained confidence.
His mother’s tireless efforts gave him the support he needed to return to his studies at one of the most critical moments of his academic journey.
Outstanding Performance in JEE
Gunjan’s hard work paid off.
He secured 91.8 percentile in JEE Main before appearing for JEE Advanced 2026.
He achieved Rank 50 in the PwD-OBC category and Common PwD Rank 120, earning admission to the Computer Science programme at IIT Delhi’s Abu Dhabi campus.
His success stands as an extraordinary achievement considering the severe medical challenges he faced just months before the examination.
A Mother’s Unwavering Determination
Speaking about the difficult journey, Gunja Kumari said balancing household responsibilities, caring for her injured son, and relearning science subjects after many years was extremely challenging.
However, she never allowed herself to lose hope because she believed that if she became discouraged, her son would also lose confidence.
Her dedication, patience, and sacrifice became the strongest pillar behind Gunjan’s success.
An Inspiration for Millions of Students
Gunjan Kumar’s journey proves that determination, family support, and consistent effort can overcome even the greatest obstacles.
His story is not just about cracking one of India’s toughest examinations; it is about courage, resilience, and the extraordinary role parents can play in helping their children achieve their dreams.
For lakhs of students preparing for competitive examinations across India, Gunjan’s achievement serves as a powerful reminder that setbacks may delay success, but they do not have to define it.
