Goal is that every student gets medical seat: Excellent NEET Academy director

Dharwad

Dharwad is reclaiming its ‘Vidya Kashi’ status as quality NEET coaching emerges locally, reducing dependence on coastal hubs. Excellent NEET Academy, Dharwad branch started in 2020 with 25 students, now achieves over 50% success annually. Focused on inclusive, intensive coaching, it transforms both average and bright students into successful medical aspirants, strengthening North Karnataka’s educational landscape. 
To understand the academy's meteoric rise, its rigorous pedagogical approach, and its vision for the region's students, we sat down with the Director of Excellent NEET Academy, Sachin Giriyappanavar. Here are the excerpts from our conversation:

Tell us about the origins of Excellent NEET Academy
Sachin Giriyappanavar: The institution was founded by our Chairman, Basavaraj Koulagi. The journey began in 1996 with Excellent Coaching Classes in Vijayapur. We eventually expanded into schools and PU colleges by 2015. In 2020, following significant demand from parents in the Dharwad region for a specialized long-term NEET academy, we established our branch here.

You started in 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. How was the initial response?
Sachin Giriyappanavar: We started with a small group of just 25 students during the lockdown. Despite the challenges, we focused on quality. Out of those first 25 students, 18 secured medical seats (MBBS, BDS, and BAMS). That success built our reputation, and we have grown every year since.

Could you walk us through your growth in terms of student strength and medical seat conversions over the last few years?
Sachin Giriyappanavar: Certainly. Our progress has been consistent: 2020 Batch: 25 students; 18 medical seats. 2022 Batch: 75 students; 50 medical seats. 2023 Batch: 110 students; 71 medical seats. 2024 Batch: 139 students; 76 medical seats. That year, one of our students, Abhishek Bhandarkarvte, scored 695 and stood first in the district. 2025 Batch: 260 students; 141 medical seats. We consistently maintain a success rate of over 50% for medical seat procurement every year.

Many colleges offer IIT and NEET coaching. What makes "Excellent" different from the rest?
Sachin Giriyappanavar: Our philosophy is inclusion. Most institutions only focus on the "creamy layer"—students who already score 90-95%. We don’t discriminate based on entrance scores. Whether a student is "bright" or "average," we provide the same level of attention. We have seen students who scored only 150 in their first NEET attempt reach 550 or 600 after a year with us. We take it as a challenge to improve every student’s potential.

You recently started a PU (Pre-University) Integrated course as well. How does that work?
Sachin Giriyappanavar: Yes, we started the PU Integrated course in 2024. Our approach for PU is to finish both first and second-year syllabi twice within the two-year period. We don't separate theory and competitive prep. We teach a chapter’s theory and immediately follow it with competitive MCQs. This ensures the student doesn't forget the fundamentals when they reach the exam stage.

Tell us about your faculty. Where are they from?
Sachin Giriyappanavar: A key strength is our Karnataka-based faculty, enabling strong connection with Kannada-medium North Karnataka students. Their contextual teaching and long-term stability, with core members since inception, ensure consistent quality education.

There is a common perception that students from this region must go to places like Mangalore or Udupi for quality PU education. What is your take on that?
Sachin Giriyappanavar: The coastal dominance is overstated; many toppers are from North K'taka. Dharwad now offers equal or better quality, focusing on smaller batches and higher success rates over mass admissions and marketing.

Your schedule seems quite intense—8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Is that necessary?
Sachin Giriyappanavar: If a student wants to clear NEET in two years, they have to sacrifice some comfort. We include study hours within this time frame. By keeping students here until 8:00pm, we ensure they aren't distracted by mobiles or home environments. Our faculty is present during these study hours to clear doubts immediately.

Finally, what is the vision for the future of Excellent NEET Academy?
Sachin Giriyappanavar: Our goal is to ensure that every student who walks through our doors secures a seat in a medical or professional stream. We are expanding our reach in Dharwad and have recently entered a management tie-up with the JSS SMPU College Vidyagiri campus to manage their integrated coaching. We want to be the primary partner in a student's journey to becoming a doctor.