Meet Lieutenant Abhida Eshana Barretto: Goa’s NEET Topper Who Became an Indian Army Medical Officer
In the quiet village of Sadolxem (Muthal-Sadolxem) in Canacona, South Goa, a young woman has written a story that blends academic brilliance, personal determination, and a quiet commitment to national service. Lieutenant (Dr.) Abhida Eshana Barretto, 23, has emerged as one of Goa’s most inspiring young figures of 2026. After topping the state in NEET UG 2021, she turned down opportunities at premier civilian institutions including AIIMS and JIPMER, chose the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, graduated with distinction, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant and Medical Officer in the Indian Army.
Her journey stands out not only for its excellence but for the deliberate choice of a life of service over conventional prestige.
Roots in a Small Village
Abhida hails from Muthal-Sadolxem, a modest hamlet on the banks of the Talpona river in Canacona. The family later shifted to Margao to support her education; recent references also place her in Gogol, Fatorda. She is the eldest of three siblings. Her father, Abel Barretto, works as a correspondent with The Navhind Times and is also an agriculturist and entrepreneur. Her mother is Bena Barretto. The family has no military background—an aspect that makes her decision to wear the olive-green uniform all the more noteworthy.
From an early age, Abhida showed a balanced approach to life. She studied at Manovikas English Medium School (Manovikas High School) in Margao until her SSC, then moved to Loyola Higher Secondary School, Margao, for Classes XI and XII. She prepared for competitive exams at eStellar (Estellar/Stellar) Academy. Even while preparing for NEET, she made time for sports, particularly football.
The Spark of Inspiration and NEET Triumph
The idea of joining the armed forces first took root during her school years when she saw an Army officer in uniform. The image of discipline and purpose stayed with her. In Class XII, her teachers introduced her to the Armed Forces Medical College—an institution that would allow her to become a doctor while serving the nation. That combination of medicine and service became her clear goal.
In NEET UG 2021, Abhida secured Goa’s first rank with an outstanding score of 680 out of 720 marks, a 99.93 percentile, and an All-India Rank of 905. It was the highest score achieved by any student from Goa at the time. She prepared largely through self-study and research, especially during the pandemic when coaching shifted online. She has spoken of studying four to five hours a day closer to the exam while still balancing sports and other activities. The Canacona Municipal Council and others felicitated her for the achievement.
In interviews at the time, she expressed her intention to join AFMC so she could pursue both her interest in medicine and her desire to serve in the Army. She also mentioned possible later specialisation in fields such as oncology or psychiatry.
Choosing Service Over Prestige
With her NEET score, Abhida received opportunities to study at some of India’s most prestigious medical colleges, including AIIMS and JIPMER. She declined them. For her, AFMC offered something more meaningful: the chance to practise medicine while wearing the uniform of the Indian Armed Forces.
Her father has publicly noted that despite multiple options, Abhida chose AFMC because it suited her temperament and aspirations. The decision reflected a maturity and clarity of purpose unusual for someone so young.
Excellence at AFMC
At the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Abhida continued to excel. She secured distinction in 13 of the 14 MBBS subjects and recorded the highest overall marks in her first, second, and third years. She won gold medals in Anatomy, Physiology, Paediatrics, and Medicine/Pharmacology.
In 2025 she was adjudged the Second-Best Outgoing Student of the AFMC Graduate Wing and received the prestigious Maj. Gen. N.D.P. Karani Trophy for outstanding performance in both academics and extracurricular activities.
Beyond the classroom, she was an active sportswoman. She earned the College Blues in Athletics, represented Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) in athletics, excelled in intercollegiate sprinting and relay events, captained the girls’ football team, and achieved multiple podium finishes in full and half marathons in Pune. Her father has recalled that she took up marathon running early and approached every activity with complete dedication and a willingness to learn from coaches.
She also participated in research during her time as a cadet, including work on a comparative study of conventional versus liquid-based cytology in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions.
Commissioning and the Road Ahead
Upon completing her MBBS, Abhida was commissioned as a Lieutenant and Medical Officer in the Indian Army. She has chosen to begin her internship at 166 Military Hospital in Jammu—a demanding posting she selected voluntarily. The choice reflects the same readiness to face challenges that has characterised her journey so far.
She has spoken of the pride she feels in joining the fraternity of Goan officers, both serving and retired, in the armed forces. In her own words: “Once you decide that you are ready to put the effort, ready to ignore the hardships; anything and everything is possible.” She has also emphasised balance in life: “Studying is not everything. We have one life, why not do all that you can?”
An Inspiration for a New Generation
Abhida Barretto’s story has resonated widely across Goa and beyond. Local media, defence communities, and political leaders have celebrated her achievement. She represents a powerful example of what focused determination, academic excellence, and a spirit of service can achieve—even for someone from a small village and a non-military family.
As she begins her career as an Army doctor, Lieutenant Abhida Eshana Barretto carries with her not only the medals and trophies of AFMC but also the hopes of many young Goans who now see that the path of national service is open to those willing to pursue it with sincerity and hard work.
Her journey from the banks of the Talpona river to the uniform of the Indian Army stands as a quiet yet compelling testament to the idea that true success is measured not only by the institutions one enters, but by the purpose one chooses to serve.
