New Delhi, May 30, 2025 – In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has directed the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to conduct the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2025 in a single shift on June 15, 2025, overturning the proposed two-shift format. The decision, delivered by a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Kumar, and N.V. Anjaria, addresses widespread concerns about fairness and transparency in the high-stakes medical entrance examination. This ruling responds to petitions challenging the NBEMS’s decision to hold the exam in two shifts, citing potential disparities in question paper difficulty and the inefficacy of score normalization.
Background and Petitions
The NEET-PG, a critical examination for admission to postgraduate medical courses such as MD, MS, and PG Diploma programs, was initially scheduled to be conducted in two shifts to accommodate over 2.5 lakh candidates. However, this decision sparked significant backlash from medical aspirants and associations, including the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, and the United Doctors Front (UDF). These groups argued that a two-shift format introduces arbitrariness, as question papers in different shifts inevitably vary in difficulty, potentially affecting candidates’ rankings and career prospects. The petitioners emphasized that NEET-PG had historically been a single-shift, single-day exam to ensure uniform standards, and the shift to a two-shift model undermined fairness and meritocracy.
The Supreme Court took up the matter following a plea filed through advocates like Sukriti Bhatnagar and Tanvi Dubey, among others. On May 5, 2025, the Court had sought responses from the NBEMS, the National Medical Commission (NMC), and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding the two-shift plan. The hearing on May 30 culminated in the Court’s directive to revert to a single-shift format.
Supreme Court’s Reasoning
The bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath, strongly criticized the two-shift format, stating, “Any two question papers can never be said to be having an identical level of difficulty or ease.” The Court highlighted that conducting the exam in two shifts creates arbitrariness and fails to provide a level playing field for candidates. It further noted that score normalization, often used to adjust for varying difficulty levels, is not a reliable solution for high-stakes exams like NEET-PG, where even minor discrepancies can significantly impact rankings.
The NBEMS, represented by Senior Advocate Maninder Acharya, argued that logistical constraints, including limited exam centers with reliable infrastructure such as robust Wi-Fi, secure systems, and well-equipped computers, necessitated the two-shift format. Acharya also cited the large number of candidates—approximately 2.5 lakh—and the need to prevent malpractices, referencing the cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 due to irregularities. However, the Court dismissed these arguments, stating, “We are not ready to accept that in the entire country, and considering the technological advancements in this country, the examining body could not find enough centres to hold the examination in one shift.” The bench emphasized that modern tools, such as digital registration systems and secure online testing platforms, should enable the NBEMS to conduct a single-shift exam.
Logistical Directives
The Supreme Court acknowledged the logistical challenges, including the NBEMS’s estimate that an additional 900 exam centers would be required to accommodate all candidates in a single shift. However, with more than two weeks remaining until June 15, the Court directed the NBEMS to identify secure and credible exam centers to facilitate a single-shift exam. The bench also mandated that the NBEMS ensure “complete transparency” in the examination process and allowed the board to request an extension of the exam date if logistical arrangements could not be completed by the scheduled date.
The Court’s order stated, “There is still more than two weeks for the examining body to identify the centres to hold the examination in one shift. We accordingly direct the respondents to make further arrangements for holding the examination in one shift, and also ensure that full transparency is maintained and secured centres are identified.” This directive underscores the Court’s commitment to prioritizing fairness over logistical convenience.
Reactions and Implications
The ruling has been widely welcomed by medical aspirants and associations. The JDA of RIMS, Ranchi, which had urged the NBEMS to adopt a single-shift model in a letter dated May 29, 2025, stated that the decision would “restore confidence, uphold meritocracy, and prevent the psychological and legal turmoil that may arise from perceived injustice.” Experts have also praised the ruling, with one noting, “Morale was already hit, but now, at least an element of luck is removed,” highlighting the elimination of disparities caused by varying question paper difficulties.
The decision is expected to set a precedent for future national-level examinations, reinforcing the importance of uniform standards and equity. Candidates can expect the NBEMS to release updated information regarding exam centers and admit cards, which will be available for download on the official website, natboard.edu.in. The NEET-PG 2025 results are scheduled to be declared by July 15, 2025, with result slips sent to candidates’ registered email addresses.
Broader Context
The Supreme Court’s intervention follows a history of controversies surrounding medical entrance exams, including NEET-PG 2024, where candidates criticized the normalization formula and alleged that the second shift’s question paper was significantly tougher. The Court’s recent actions, including directives to curb seat-blocking in NEET-PG counseling and to publish raw scores, answer keys, and normalization formulae, reflect a broader push for transparency and accountability in the examination process.
This ruling marks a significant step toward ensuring fairness and restoring trust among medical aspirants, who view NEET-PG as a pivotal milestone in their professional journey. As the NBEMS works to comply with the Court’s directive, candidates are advised to stay updated on official announcements while focusing on their preparation for the June 15 examination.
Sources: Agencies
