In a significant verdict prioritizing fairness and transparency, the Supreme Court of India has mandated that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2025 be conducted in a single shift. This decision overturns the previously planned two-shift format, addressing concerns raised about potential discrepancies in the difficulty levels across different sessions. The NEET-PG 2025 examination is scheduled for June 15, 2025, and the National Board of Examinations (NBE) will now need to adjust its logistics to accommodate all candidates in a single session.
The decision comes as a response to a petition highlighting the potential for unfairness inherent in a two-shift examination. The Supreme Court bench, presided over by Justice Vikram Nath, noted that conducting NEET-PG in multiple shifts could lead to variations in the difficulty level of the question papers, thus creating a sense of arbitrariness and inequity among candidates. The court emphasized that uniformity in standards is paramount for an examination of such national importance.
The ruling was influenced by arguments presented by petitioners who pointed out that NEET-PG has historically been a single-shift, single-day examination, a format that ensures all candidates are assessed under identical conditions. The court also dismissed contentions that holding the exam in two shifts was necessary due to the large number of candidates, stating that the examining body should be able to identify sufficient secure centers across the country to conduct the examination in one shift. The court observed that the NBE collects substantial examination fees (₹3,500 from general category candidates and ₹2,500 from SC/ST/PWD candidates), and therefore possesses adequate funds to secure the necessary infrastructure.
The Supreme Court's directive necessitates that the NBE rework its logistical arrangements to accommodate all 2,42,678 candidates in a single shift. This may involve securing larger venues, deploying additional invigilators, and ensuring the smooth and secure conduct of the examination across numerous centers nationwide. The court has given the NBE two weeks to identify more centers and make the necessary arrangements.
The decision has been widely applauded by medical aspirants and educators, who had voiced concerns regarding the fairness of a two-shift system. A common apprehension among candidates is that different shifts might feature questions of varying difficulty, potentially impacting their rankings and future career prospects. By mandating a single shift, the Supreme Court aims to eliminate these concerns and reaffirm the principles of fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity in national-level examinations.
Furthermore, the court addressed concerns about potential malpractice, emphasizing that a single-shift examination would help avoid such issues. The bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and N V Anjaria, stated that holding the examination in two shifts creates "arbitrariness," and that "any two question papers can never be said to be having an identical level of difficulty or ease." The court's firm stance underscores its commitment to upholding the integrity of the examination process.
In a related development, the Supreme Court had previously sought responses from the National Board of Examinations, the National Medical Council, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding the plea to conduct NEET-PG in a single shift. This latest ruling reinforces the court's dedication to ensuring a level playing field for all candidates, further solidifying the credibility and reliability of the NEET-PG examination.
