"They Don't Care About Us": Bihar Boy On Unfinished AIIMS And NEET-UG Paper Leak

An unfinished AIIMS in Darbhanga, Bihar, stands as a hollow structure with only its entrance gate built—11 years after the project was announced. For 18-year-old Yashasvi Kumar, this unfinished monument mirrors the broken promises of India’s education system, where medical aspirants like him face relentless pressure to secure seats through NEET-UG. Kumar, from Harnaut village in Nalanda district, has spent three years preparing for NEET, sacrificing health, friendships, and family time. His father, an insurance adviser, and mother, a homemaker, pushed him toward medicine after he scored high in science. Despite his initial interest in technology, he shifted to biology, driven by societal expectations. He moved to Noida for coaching, enduring grueling schedules—studying for board exams by day and NEET modules by night—while isolating himself from social media and family events. The financial burden was immense: his family spent nearly 1.3 lakh rupees over two years on coaching, a significant sum in Bihar, where per capita income is among the lowest in the country. Health deteriorated under the strain; he developed severe migraines from the pressure. His first NEET attempt in 2024 failed partly due to divided focus between board exams and entrance prep. The 2024 paper leak scandal, which saw arrests in Patna and accusations of irregularities, further eroded trust in the system. Kumar’s second attempt in 2026 became his last hope. On May 2, he traveled to Patna for the exam, embodying the struggles of thousands of Bihar’s medical aspirants trapped in a cycle of administrative neglect, corruption, and systemic failures. The unfinished AIIMS and the NEET leak scandal together highlight how infrastructure and exam integrity crises deepen the despair of students chasing limited opportunities.