Patiala, Aug. 17 -- Neeraj Kumar cracked NEET-UG, and his marks (493/720) were enough to secure him a seat at Government Medical College (GMC), Patiala, achieving the first part of his dream to become a doctor.

But just when the son of a farm labourer reached the finish line, Neeraj was hit by an insurmountable hurdle - Rs.1.8 lakh admission fee.

Neeraj hails from Shergarh village in Abohar and says his father's daily earnings are barely enough to sustain the family.

"Currently, we don't have the money to pay the fees. We will have to borrow money if someone gives," he told HT.

His mother is a homemaker, and there are no savings to fall back on. He is not alone; the same is the case with a meritorious school pass-out, Ashwani (564 mar...