1 week ago
Three-Foot Ganesh Baraiya Becomes Government Doctor After Legal Battle
Ganesh Baraiya is a doctor who is about three feet tall.
When he was young, a circus offered his family money to take him as a performer.
His father refused because he wanted Ganesh to continue studying.
Ganesh worked hard, passed his exams, and qualified for medical school.
Officials first rejected him because they worried his height and disability would make emergencies difficult.
Ganesh challenged that decision in court.
The Supreme Court said his height alone could not stop him from studying medicine.
He later became a government doctor and hopes to specialize in a medical field such as paediatrics, dermatology, or radiology.
Ganesh Baraiya, who has dwarfism and is about three feet tall, was offered Rs 5 lakh by a circus as a child.
After scoring 87% in Class 12 and clearing NEET 2018, he was denied an MBBS seat over height and disability concerns.
The Supreme Court of India ruled on October 22, 2018, that height alone could not disqualify him from studying medicine.
Ganesh completed his MBBS and internship at Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, with support from teachers and classmates.
On November 27, 2025, he began work as a Class 2 Medical Officer at Sir Takhtasinhji General Hospital in Bhavnagar.
- Who
- Ganesh Baraiya, a doctor with dwarfism, along with his family, teachers, classmates, the Medical Council of India, and the Supreme Court of India.
- What
- Baraiya won the right to study medicine after being denied an MBBS seat and later became a government Medical Officer.
- Where
- He is from Gorkhi village in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, studied at Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, and works at Sir Takhtasinhji General Hospital in Bhavnagar.
- When
- The Supreme Court ruled in his favour on October 22, 2018; he joined medical college in 2019 and reported for duty on November 27, 2025.
- Why
- He challenged the medical-school rejection because he wanted to become a doctor and argued that his height should not automatically disqualify him.
Medical eligibility concerns
Equal access to medical education
Ability to handle emergencies
Medical eligibility concerns
The Medical Council of India cited Baraiya's height and 72% locomotor disability, with the committee saying he might not be able to handle emergency cases.
Equal access to medical education
Baraiya challenged the decision, and the Supreme Court ruled that height alone could not disqualify him from studying medicine.
Assessment of professional potential
Medical eligibility concerns
The initial decision focused on whether his physical condition could affect practical medical duties and emergency care.
Equal access to medical education
Baraiya, supported by his principal, pursued medical training and completed his MBBS, internship, and hospital postings.
Key facts
- Height
- About three feet
- Childhood circus offer
- Rs 5 lakh, which his father rejected
- NEET result
- 233 marks in NEET 2018
- Court ruling
- On October 22, 2018, the Supreme Court said height alone could not disqualify him from studying medicine
- Medical education
- MBBS and mandatory internship completed
- Current role
- Class 2 Medical Officer
- Workplace
- Sir Takhtasinhji General Hospital, Bhavnagar
- Future goals
- Specialization in paediatrics, dermatology, or radiology
Quotes
Ganesh Baraiya
Doctor and medical officer who challenged the denial of his medical college admission.
“Children would open up to me easily. They would tell me their small problems, which they would not share with other doctors.”
thebetterindia.com
“The committee said I would not be able to handle emergency cases because of my height.”
thebetterindia.com
Sources
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