As is so often the case in a world unaware of the tenacity of people with disabilities, these amazing stories show resilience, strength, and spirit.
Each of these individuals has experienced completely different personal victories and challenged societal constructs of disability, demonstrating that disability does not mean limitation, but rather an obstacle that reveals strength.
Gauri Gupta: Breaking Barriers in Education
Born with a disability, Gauri Gupta refused to let barriers define her. At Delhi University’s Faculty of Law, she faced inaccessible infrastructure and constant doubts about her abilities. Yet, through resilience and determination, she earned her law degree.
Her struggles became her purpose—advocating for equal access in higher education. For Gauri, this fight was never about sympathy but about fairness, dignity, and justice.
Today, as a lawyer and changemaker, she continues to push for system reforms, proving that education is about breaking glass ceilings and creating paths for others to follow.
Her story reminds us that true strength lies in turning problems into solutions—and that every dream is valid and worth fighting for.
Source Link : https://news.careers360.com/delhi-university-law-faculty-gauri-gupta-disability-accessibility-inclusion-advocacy
Muhammad Samar: Turning Darkness into Dreams
At 32, Muhammad Samar became the first visually impaired male student to earn a PhD in Urdu from Aligarh Muslim University. His journey—beginning in nursery at AMU, surviving cancer, and earning degrees in English Literature, Urdu, and finally a PhD—reflects perseverance and grit.
Growing up in a modest family in Aligarh, Samar faced poverty, doubt, and daily struggles. Yet, with family support and unwavering determination, he refused to let barriers define him.
“Some days darkness felt heavier than just blindness—it was the weight of doubts and struggles. But my dreams still matter,” he says.
Now aspiring to teach as a lecturer, Samar’s story proves that courage and support can turn limits into possibilities and inspire countless others to chase their dreams.
Source: Times of India
Doctors Claimed He Would Live Like a 'Wooden Doll', But Life Had Other Plans
Born with arthrogryposis, Nipun Malhotra was once told he’d live with severe restrictions. With his parents’ support, he excelled in academics, earning a Master’s in Economics from St. Stephen’s College.
Facing bias in the job market, he turned struggle into action. In 2012, Nipun and his mother founded the Nipman Foundation, promoting inclusion for persons with disabilities through the 3As framework—Attitudes, Accessibility, and Affordability. The foundation also runs Wheels for Life (a wheelchair donation platform) and the Equal Opportunity Awards.
A key moment came in 2015 when Nipun was denied entry to a restaurant, inspiring him to push Zomato to add a ‘Disabled Friendly’ filter—now a feature on delivery apps.
Today, he serves on national committees, advocates accessibility, and continues to prove that disability does not limit potential.
SAMARTHX (formerly Twitter)+3World Economic Forum+3Wikipedia+3
Malvika Iyer: From Tragedy to Global Change Maker
Born in Kumbakonam in 1989, Malvika Iyer’s life changed at 13 when a grenade explosion led to the loss of both her hands and severe injuries to her legs. Instead of breaking down, she chose resilience.
With scribes’ help, she topped her SSLC exams and was honored by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. She went on to earn degrees from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi School of Social Work, and later completed her PhD on the stigmatization of persons with disabilities.
Her advocacy spans disability rights and accessible fashion. She walked the ramp at NIFT, co-chaired the World Economic Forum’s India Economic Summit, and addressed the UN in New York.
Her impact has earned her the Nari Shakti Puraskar (2018), the Women in the World Emerging Leaders Award (2016), and recognition by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who invited her to take over his social media accounts in 2020.
Malvika Iyer’s journey is a story of resilience, turning personal tragedy into global advocacy for inclusion and equality.
Sources:
At 11, a car accident left Sminu Jindal a wheelchair user for life. Though she wished to hide away, her parents pushed her to live fully—installing ramps and lifts at her school long before accessibility was common in India. She went on to graduate from Shri Ram College of Commerce.
This experience shaped her purpose: to fight for inclusion and accessibility in public spaces. But Sminu also broke barriers in business. She became the first woman to lead in the male-dominated steel, oil, and gas sector, as Managing Director of Jindal SAW Ltd., part of the $18.5 billion O.P. Jindal Group. Under her leadership, the company expanded globally and invested in sustainability and infrastructure projects.
Today, Sminu Jindal is not just a corporate leader—she is a warrior for accessibility, proving that life’s hardest trials can ignite the brightest visions.
Source Link: Sminu JindalYourStory.com+2Outlook Traveller+2
School life lost its meaning the moment I went blind. I could no longer read books or notes, I had to stop taking exams, and schooling was basically over. For a brilliant student, this was like a train hit me! Doctors were clueless. Just as I started to lose hope, my teacher gave me a hint about this "talking computer". That single hint opened new doors of opportunity.
The journey to the talking computer started in a small town of Chhattisgarh. There were many dealers who had never even heard of it. But persistence prevailed. Finally, one dealer put two and two together — a legally blind officer, working for the Department of Justice who used the screen reading software called JAWS. Learning from him was my turning point.
Education resumed. First, as a private student. Then topping the Commerce stream. Then admission into Shri Ram College of Commerce and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. Each fest, each service initiative, each struggle had been an opportunity to prove that vision impairment could not stop ambition.
Bias exists. Even with an MBA, interviews spoke only about my disability. What could we do? Be honest. Be open about my life and how I functioned independently, supported by accessible assistive devices, travel and team work. Over time, interviews became about my ability, not only about my disability.
Work life commenced. Inclusion was not always easy. Awards and recognitions flowed, but belongingness was difficult. That changed with Deloitte USI. I was supported with a PwD buddy, a supportive Council, and colleagues who wanted to help and did it patiently - work was truly accessible. I felt okay about contributing and meaningfully in Corporate Finance, it no longer felt like a compromise.
This is proof that barriers do not have to stop dreams. Every barrier provides an opportunity to rise above. The goal now is simply to solve, grow, and keep moving.
Source Link: https://www.deloitte.com/ui/en/careers/deloitte-life/blogs/story-of-resilience.html
Born with complete hearing loss, Nishtha Dudeja spent nearly a decade in speech therapy to find her voice. A Commerce graduate from Delhi University and now pursuing MA Economics, she turned challenges into milestones.
In 2018, Nishtha made history as the first Indian to win Miss Deaf Asia at the Miss and Mister Deaf World Pageant, inspiring thousands of families across India. She’s also a sports champion, having represented India in judo, lawn tennis, ITF tournaments, and the Deaflympics (2013 & 2017).
Her achievements earned her the National Award for Disability Empowerment in 2018, and she continues to advocate for accessibility and inclusion.
For Nishtha, true victory isn’t about being seen as “normal”—it’s about breaking every label that limits us.
Source Link: The New Indian Express
Born in Ambala in 1968, Abha Khetarpal contracted polio at the age of three, which limited her mobility. Despite braces, surgeries, and wheelchairs defining her early life, she refused to let disability define her future. She pursued education, graduating from Delhi University, and discovered her passion for writing at 18.
Abha became a poet, author, counsellor, and one of India’s strongest voices for disability rights. In 2010, she founded Cross The Hurdles, a pioneering platform and mobile app providing counselling, education, and resources for people with disabilities. Through her books Disabled Lives Matter and Warrior on Wheels, and her work on sexual health and empowerment, she challenged stereotypes and gave visibility to neglected issues.
Her impact has been recognized globally with awards like the National Award for Empowerment of PwDs (2016) and the Henry Viscardi Achievement Award (2019).
Abha’s journey is proof that empowerment comes not from sympathy but from dignity, respect, and equal opportunity.
Source Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abha_Khetarpal
Shorya Sood, a third-year PhD student at Jawaharlal Nehru University who uses a wheelchair, has faced painful challenges just getting around campus. The only student wheelchair-accessible washroom on the campus had a broken flush for nearly two months.
Despite multiple communications with the Dean and the Vice-Chancellor about the issue, nothing was done. Eventually the washroom was locked and Shorya was left without a ground-floor washroom that he could use.
As the evening classes often finish with the lifts turned off, Shorya was forced to look for washrooms in other buildings, which made studying very difficult and often thought impossible. In some desperation he gave a warning that he would "not be able to come back to campus if this continues."
Shorya then made his concerns public with a viral LinkedIn post detailing his experiences with photos of the complaints he had made. He also asked student bodies, and the JNU Students' Union to take some steps and to take accessibility seriously.
Source Link: The Indian ExpressIndia Today
In 2014, Ira Singhal made history by becoming the first differently-abled woman to top the UPSC Civil Services Exam, securing All India Rank 1 after four attempts.
Born with scoliosis, Ira faced physical challenges from birth. Despite clearing the exam in 2010, she was denied a posting in the Indian Revenue Service due to her disability. She graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Refusing to accept discrimination, she fought a three-year legal battle and won, finally joining as Assistant Commissioner in Customs and Excise.
Her determination didn’t stop there. She reappeared for UPSC in 2014, proving her merit by topping the exam.
Ira Singhal’s journey is a lesson in resilience, showing that no barrier is bigger than hard work, belief, and the courage to fight for what is right.
Source Link: https://edu.yuvayana.org/2015/ira-singhal-a-journey-from-hurdles-of-life-to-upsc-topper/
Atypical Academy's mission is to offer individualized coaching for students with disabilities to provide the proper level of guidance and resources to succeed in exams such as CUET UG. From seasoned educational protestors and personalized learning styles, to flexible learning materials and a positive, inclusive approach, Atypical Academy is aiming to provide the resources, knowledge and training required to maximise the potential of students to achieve their education goals, while gaining access to the opportunities available in the best universities and beyond.
Question 1: What types of disabilities are accepted under the PwD category in the CUET Exam?
Answer 1: The CUET Exam recognizes multiple weaknesses in the PwD category, including but not limited to visual impairment, hearing impairment, locomotor disability and several other specified disabilities. Refer to the official CUET policies for specifics.
Question 2: What is the cutoff for PwD candidates in the CUET UG Exam to secure admission in top universities?
Answer 2: The cutoff for PwD candidates varies depending on the university and the specific course. It's essential to refer to the individual university's admission guidelines for precise information.
Question 3: What are the online coaching platforms available for PwD candidates preparing for the CUET Exam to get into top universities?
Answer 3: Atypical Academy caters to PwD candidates by offering adaptive learning materials, personalized coaching, and dedicated support. It’s advisable to explore the platform and see how its resources align with individual needs and preferences.
These stories serve as a reminder that with determination, support, and the right resources, individuals with disabilities can achieve their dreams and inspire others along the way.
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