Misa Bharti, the eldest daughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, was born on May 22, 1976, during the Emergency period—her name inspired by the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) under which her father was imprisoned. 3 While she holds an MBBS degree and is often referred to as a doctor in political contexts, the story of her medical education has been mired in allegations of nepotism, backdoor admissions, and exam irregularities, largely attributed to her father’s political influence during his tenure as Chief Minister from 1990 to 1997.

Early Academic Challenges

Before pursuing medicine, Misa faced hurdles in her education. As a student at Patna Women’s College, she was barred from taking intermediate exams due to insufficient attendance and had to switch to a less reputed institution to pass. 15 When she attempted the medical entrance test in 1993, reports claim she performed poorly—some accounts allege her answer sheet was blank or that she scored only 1 mark, far below the threshold for merit-based admission. 4 22

Admission to Medical College

Despite the poor entrance performance, Misa secured a seat in the MBBS program at MGM Medical College in Jamshedpur in 1993 under the TISCO (Tata Iron and Steel Company) quota—a provision typically reserved for company affiliates. 17 Critics allege this was facilitated solely through her father’s clout as Chief Minister, as she had no personal or familial ties to TISCO. 19 Later, she was transferred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for what was cited as security reasons. 16 Allegations from contemporaries suggest that PMCH faculty were pressured to provide private tutoring at the Chief Minister’s residence to ensure her progress. 13

Exam Performance and Topping the Batch

Misa completed her MBBS in 1999, reportedly topping her class at PMCH with an overall score of nearly 72%, including distinctions in gynecology and ENT. 5 She had scored above 70% at MGM earlier and 92% in a pre-final term test. 15 However, this achievement sparked widespread controversy. Her batchmates at PMCH were unsurprised, describing it as an “annual ritual” where the top 10 ranks were allegedly reserved for children of VIPs, with genuine merit students starting from rank 11. 5 Teachers anonymously described her as having “low intelligence,” and opponents accused the system of rigging results through external examiners or a “caste caucus.” 5 16 Students even planned protests demanding a review, viewing it as part of a broader pattern of favoritism in Bihar’s institutions, where similar incidents had occurred with other politicians’ relatives. 15

Post-Degree Life and Lack of Practice

Shortly after graduating, Misa married software engineer Shailesh Kumar in December 1999 and shifted focus to family and politics, never practicing medicine. 17 She cited commitments to marriage and household management as reasons, though some speculate the controversies around her degree played a role. 4 Today, she is a prominent RJD politician, having served in the Rajya Sabha and contested Lok Sabha elections, most recently winning from Pataliputra in 2024. 3

The narrative has persisted in public discourse, with social media users and critics often citing it as an example of dynastic privilege in Indian politics, drawing parallels to modern exam scandals like NEET paper leaks. 2 13 While no formal legal action overturned her degree, the allegations highlight systemic issues in Bihar’s education during the 1990s.