Meet Zoya Mirza: From NEET Setback To 1st Woman Lieutenant Doc In Army

From the small town of Durg District in Chattisgarh to making it to one of the most honourable jobs in the nation, Zoya Mirza made history by becoming the first woman lieutenant doctor in the Indian Army after finishing her MBBS from the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in 2023-2024. She will now be also the first lieutenant doctor from Chattisgarh in the Indian Army.

AFMC is a college known for holding higher cut-off marks for female candidates in its entrance exams. Despite the challenges, Mirza's journey is a story of resilience and determination coming from a strong commitment to serving the nation and its people.

From NEET Failure To Lieutenant Doctor In Army

While the whole nation and Mirza's family are proud of her remarkable feat with the highest degree profession, it did not come easy to her. Sharing her journey with TOI a day before joining her duty in Jammu and Kashmir, Mirza talked about facing financial struggles from an early age that could have deterred her education. 

Getting her early education from a lesser-known private school in Durg district so as to afford school fees, Mirza was later shifted to KPS Bhilai for her higher education. 

Mirza opted for Biology in her 12th standard and began preparing for Medical Entrance Exam (NEET) (National Eligibility and Entrance Test) but was unable to succeed. Disheartened by the failure, Mirza decided to focus on her graduation by enrolling at Delhi University, however, her grandmother and father persuaded her to take a gap year and give NEET another chance.

Mirza, choosing a gap year in her career, shifted to Kota (the study hub of India) to focus better on her NEET preparations. However, recalling her challenges, Mirza shared how, despite her mother getting a government teacher job and father being a pitch curator at Chattisgarh State Cricket Sangh, her family still struggled to afford her studies in Kota and had to borrow money from others.

Mirza's confidence during her days in Kota went under the rocks after seeing other students around her performing better in practice tests, despite which she did not let her spirits down and continued preparing hard. But then suddenly her grandmother suffered from serious health issues due to Mirza having to return home just 15-20 days before NEET exams. Mirza still managed to get the 13th rank but notably missed the opportunity just by a seat as the college closed at the 12th rank. 

Disheartened by another failed attempt, it was Mirza's grandmother who encouraged her to return to Bhilai and prepare locally to stay at home. It was finally in 2019 that Mirza cleared the NEET with an impressive score of 622, opening the doors of AFMC for her. 

Fulfilling her and her family's dream, who have been an anchor of support throughout her journey, Mirza recalled how her grandmother and father used to say there are two noble professions: doctor and soldier. Expressing gratitude for her latest feat after graduating from AFMC to join the Indian Army and fulfilling everyone's dream, Mirza said: "Being a doctor, I can serve people, and by joining the defence services, I can serve the nation."

Becoming the first lieutenant doctor in the Indian Army from the state, Mirza will be joining Jammu and Kashmir as her first site of duty for a promising dream career ahead of her in the military and medicine. Expressing pride, Mirza's father, Shamim Mirza, shared how his daughter's passion and dedication to helping others will be beneficial wherever she works. 

Mirza's story is a proof to the power of dreams and perseverance that could triumph over hurdles to victoy, inspiring many youth and encourage young girls to pursue the careers of their dreams.