The Supreme Court on Friday approved the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences’ (NBEMS) request to postpone the NEET PG 2025 examination to August 3, 2025. This decision enforces a single-shift examination format, addressing concerns over fairness and consistency for the over 2.5 lakh medical aspirants registered for the test.
Shift to Single-Shift Format Amid Fairness Concerns
Originally scheduled for June 15, the NEET PG exam faced logistical challenges after the Supreme Court ruled that it must be conducted in a single shift rather than two. The two-shift system raised worries about disparities in question difficulty across sessions, potentially affecting candidates’ equity.
The bench, comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Augustine George Masih, granted NBEMS’s plea for a delay, emphasizing that no further postponements would be entertained. The ruling followed an affidavit from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the exam’s technology partner, which cited August 3 as the earliest practical date to prepare and open sufficient testing centres.
Increased Capacity and Enhanced Security Measures
With the shift to a single session, NBEMS had to nearly double the number of exam centres—from approximately 450 to around 900—to accommodate all candidates simultaneously. The board highlighted the need for stringent security protocols, three-tier power backup systems, and close coordination with law enforcement agencies to prevent malpractice and ensure smooth conduct of the exam.
In its application, NBEMS reaffirmed its commitment to conducting NEET PG 2025 safely and fairly in a single shift, stating that all measures have been taken to ensure the exam’s practical feasibility on the rescheduled date.
Petition for Fairness Spurs Court’s Intervention
The Supreme Court’s decision came in response to a petition filed by the United Doctors Front and individual candidates. The petitioners argued that conducting the exam in two shifts was “arbitrary” and risked unfairness due to variations in question difficulty. They sought judicial intervention to mandate a single-shift exam ensuring uniform conditions for all candidates.
Aspirants Express Frustration Over Delay
While the postponement aims to guarantee fairness, some candidates and activists expressed discontent over the extended wait. Mumbai-based medical education activist Brijesh Sutaria criticized NBEMS’s reliance on TCS’s timeline, calling it “an abdication of responsibility.” He questioned why the exam could not be held on weekdays to minimize delays, reflecting widespread frustration among aspirants over the nearly 50-day postponement.
Next Steps for Candidates
NBEMS has urged all candidates to regularly check its official website for updates, including city intimation slips and admit card releases. The rescheduling is seen as a vital step toward maintaining a transparent and equitable examination process for MD, MS, and PG Diploma admissions.
Conclusion
By enforcing a single-shift format and postponing the NEET PG 2025 exam to August 3, the Supreme Court has underscored the importance of fairness in national-level competitive exams. The decision aims to balance logistical challenges with the imperative of providing an equal playing field to all medical aspirants across India.