Vadodara: In a remarkable story of resilience and determination, Gurudutt Dave (22), a final-year engineering student of Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), has secured All India Rank (AIR) 75 in electronics and AIR 333 in electrical engineering in GATE 2026, despite battling stage IV lymphoma and undergoing gruelling chemotherapy sessions.Diagnosed in March 2024 after experiencing persistent back pain and swelling, Dave underwent six intensive chemotherapy cycles over nearly three to three-and-a-half months at Muni Seva Ashram, Goraj. “The first week after every session was extremely difficult, and I was mostly on bed rest. I would study gradually once I started recovering,” he said.Even before his diagnosis, Dave faced academic setbacks, having been detained due to backlogs during the transition from his second to third year. However, he persisted and first appeared for GATE in 2025, securing AIR 1,334 in electrical engineering. Unsatisfied with the result, he attempted the exam again, this time opting for two papers — a strategy that paid off with top ranks in both.Dave credited his mentors, friends, and family for support during the challenging period. “Mrunal sir always kept motivating and guiding me,” he said.Coming from a modest background, with his retired father employed in a non-technical role at MSU, Dave now plans to pursue higher studies at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. While he is inclined towards research, he said his long-term plans will evolve with experience.Reflecting on his journey, Dave said, “The setbacks pushed me to stay focused.”
