In a truly remarkable feat that has brought immense pride to Kerala, Deepniya D.B., a brilliant young woman from Avala in Perambra, Kozhikode, has emerged as the state’s top scorer in the highly competitive NEET UG examination. Securing an impressive All India Rank of 109 and a score of 643, Deepniya’s achievement stands as a shining testament to dedication, perseverance, and the power of quality education, regardless of background. Her success is particularly noteworthy as she pursued her entire schooling in Malayalam medium, demonstrating that talent and hard work transcend language barriers.

A Journey Rooted in Government Education

Deepniya’s academic journey is a powerful endorsement of Kerala’s public education system. She completed her schooling, from Anganwadi to Higher Secondary, in government institutions, including Avala Government Higher Secondary School where both her parents serve as teachers. Her father, Dineshan, teaches mathematics in the higher secondary section, and her mother, Biji, is a mathematics teacher in the high school. This close-knit family, including her younger brother Deepdev, has always fostered an environment conducive to learning and growth.

“She always took her studies seriously, right from a young age,” shared her mother. Her father added, “We never had to force her to study. She was self-motivated and would study when she felt it was the right time.” This intrinsic drive has been a cornerstone of Deepniya’s success.

Beyond Academics: A Well-Rounded Achiever

Deepniya’s talents extend beyond the confines of textbooks. During her school years, she showcased her literary prowess by securing an ‘A’ grade in Malayalam essay writing at the State School Kalolsavam, a prestigious arts festival. She also bagged prizes at district and state levels in various quiz and arts events, highlighting her versatile abilities and well-rounded personality.

The NEET Dream and a Determined Repeat Attempt

The dream of becoming a doctor began to solidify for Deepniya during her Plus One and Plus Two years. She understood the rigor of the NEET examination and decided to pursue it with full dedication. In her first attempt, while she qualified, her rank was around 29,000. Undeterred by this, Deepniya, with the unwavering support of her family, decided to repeat the examination. This decision, to take a gap year and intensely prepare, proved to be pivotal.

She enrolled in the Brilliant Study Centre, Pala, opting for their Kozhikode center. Recounting her experience, Deepniya stated, “The classes started on June 6th, and everything followed a strict timetable. The chapters were completed well in advance, allowing ample time for revision and mock exams. These continuous exams were incredibly helpful. They accustomed me to the pressure and reduced my anxiety by the time the actual exam arrived.” She emphasized the importance of consistency, sharing that she attended every class and took every exam, even when she wasn’t feeling well. She consistently performed exceptionally well, often topping the internal examinations at the center, securing the first position at least eight times.

Conquering a Challenging NEET Exam

The 2025 NEET UG examination was widely acknowledged as a particularly challenging paper. Many students found it tougher than previous years, especially compared to the relatively easier paper of the preceding year. Deepniya, however, approached it with a calm and confident demeanor.

“I had anticipated that it wouldn’t be as easy as last year, so I went in with a good level of confidence,” she recalled. She started with Biology, then moved to Physics and Chemistry. “Physics was quite demanding this time,” she admitted. “I couldn’t even read all the questions within the allocated time. There were questions unlike those we had seen in previous NEET exams, some even resembling JEE Main level questions.” This experience further underscores the magnitude of her achievement, excelling in a tougher examination with tighter time constraints.

Upon exiting the examination hall, Deepniya confessed to her mother, “It was tough. I wasn’t sure how others found it.” Her mother recalled, “When I saw the faces of other students coming out, I sensed a general feeling of difficulty. But Deepniya, despite acknowledging the toughness, maintained a positive outlook.” Her father, noticing the somber mood of other students, found solace in the consistent strong performance of his daughter in Brilliant’s competitive exams. “I was confident that she would secure a rank good enough for admission to a good medical college,” he shared.

The Pillars of Support: Family and Mentors

Deepniya’s success is a collective triumph, a testament to the unwavering support she received from her family and mentors. Her parents, teachers themselves, provided the ideal environment for her studies. Her grand-uncle and grand-aunt, who also played a significant role in her upbringing, expressed immense pride in her dedication. “She never needed to be told to study; she just did it,” her grand-aunt stated.

Deepniya herself acknowledged the crucial role played by her support system. “My parents never pushed me into anything. When I expressed my desire to become a doctor after Plus Two, they fully supported me, including joining Brilliant,” she said. She also highlighted the continuous encouragement from her teachers at Avala Government Higher Secondary School and the dedicated faculty, mentors, and coordinators at Brilliant Study Centre.

A Role Model for Aspiring Doctors

Deepniya’s journey offers invaluable lessons for future NEET aspirants. Her primary advice: trust the methods of your coaching institute. “Believe in the methods of Brilliant Study Centre,” she urged. “Their exams and classes are designed to help you. Don’t get disheartened if you face initial difficulties; don’t give up. Tension only wastes precious time.”

She also emphasized the paramount importance of NCERT textbooks. “I primarily focused on NCERT,” she revealed. “If Sirs in class mentioned anything extra, I would note it down separately and review it closer to the exam.” She stressed the need to thoroughly read and understand NCERT, especially for Biology, suggesting reading it at least 50 times.

Aiming for Excellence: JIPMER and Beyond

Deepniya’s aspiration is to secure admission to the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), a highly esteemed institution. While the allure of AIIMS Delhi is also present, her current focus is on JIPMER. Her decision aligns with the spirit of serving the community, a core motivation behind her desire to become a doctor. As her father aptly put it, “Good people becoming doctors, and intelligent people becoming doctors, both benefit society.”

Deepniya D.B.’s inspiring journey from a Malayalam medium government school in Perambra to topping the NEET UG examination in Kerala is a powerful narrative of ambition, diligence, and the transformative power of accessible, quality education. She stands as a beacon of hope and a remarkable role model for countless students across the state and beyond, proving that with unwavering dedication, dreams can indeed become a reality.