🚀 My GSoC 2025 Journey - A Dream, A Twist & A Lesson for Life 💔

Om Sharma — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 12:06:15 +0000

Hey Dev family,
Today I’m sharing something that took me a month to put into words.
I was selected for @google Google Summer of Code 2025 - my first-ever international achievement. But I’m no longer part of the program… because of my age.
Yes, I cracked GSoC at 17. That joy quickly turned into heartbreak when the opportunity slipped through my hands. But every moment of this journey meant something to me - and I want to share it. 🌱

🌟 The Best Day of My Life - 8th May 2025
I still remember the moment I saw my name on the GSoC accepted list. I froze.
Tears of joy. Smiles all around. My college, my friends, my family - all celebrating together. On 27th May, my college even surprised me with a banner in my city, barely a kilometer from home.
It felt like a dream come true. The story even gained traction on LinkedIn and X. But that’s when life threw a curveball.

📩 The Twist No One Saw Coming
The banner proudly said: “Om cracked GSoC at the age of 17.”
It was true - and it went viral.
Soon after, I received an email from Google asking for age verification. According to GSoC rules, participants must be 18 or above. I wasn’t aware of this rule - no verification was asked during application, and I had no intent to hide anything. I was just contributing and doing what I love.
I missed the first mail on 28th May. The second came on 30th May, asking me to respond before 1st June.

📝 I Responded Honestly
On 1st June, I shared everything - my contributions, my passion, and the fact that I would turn 18 on 14th June. But by the end of the day, I received a message saying I was officially withdrawn for not meeting the eligibility criteria.
That email shattered me.
This is my answer to trolls - I chose honesty over silence.

💬 My Perspective
In my view, if a 17-year-old can clear a global program like GSoC, it should be seen as encouragement - a signal to support early talent.
But I also respect the rules and understand the decision.
✅ My college was innocent - they just celebrated me.
✅ I was innocent - I didn’t try to bend any rules.
✅ The GSoC team followed their policy - fairly.

🔁 What’s Next?
Yes, I’m out of GSoC 2025. But I’m not out of the game.
I’ll be back - stronger, eligible, and more determined than ever.
Until then, I’ll keep building. I’ll keep learning. I’ll keep growing.

💡 “Age might define eligibility, but it can never define capability”

🙏 Heartfelt Thanks to
💼 My organization and its amazing maintainers AOSSIE Jaideep Prasad Chandan S Gowda Aarush Acharya
🎓 My college Polaris School of Technology
🧑‍🏫 My Bhaiyas (seniors) Divij Sharma, Naveen Sharma, Prayag Biswas, Rahat, Vipin Kumar, Nitish Jha, Akhilesh Kr.
🤝 My friends and well-wishers
Yug Ramoliya, Vijeta Narwal, Kanishka Garg, Sneha Chaurasia, Riya Kumari
👪 And most importantly, my family and guardians - who lifted me up when I was down Divya Rewtani, Suyash Chaturvedi, Mukul Rustagi

#GSoC #OpenSource #AgeIsJustANumber

DEV Community: Om Sharma

🚀 My GSoC 2025 Journey - A Dream, A Twist & A Lesson for Life 💔

#GSoC #OpenSource #AgeIsJustANumber