The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a petition challenging the decision of the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to conduct the NEET-PG 2025 examination in two separate shifts.
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses (NEET-PG) is scheduled to be held on June 15, 2025, in two computer-based shifts. Results are expected to be declared by July 15.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Augustine George Masih took note of submissions made by the petitioner’s counsel and assured that the matter would be listed for hearing shortly. The lawyer, raising the urgency of the matter, pointed out that admit cards for the exam are to be issued on June 2.
“The bench said it would list the matter this week. It is extremely urgent,” the lawyer emphasized, urging the court to expedite the hearing.
Previously, on May 5, the apex court had sought responses from the National Board of Examinations, the National Medical Commission (NMC), and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding the issue. However, the case was not listed last week as expected.
The plea, filed by a candidate named Aditi and others, contends that holding the exam in two shifts could result in an unequal level of difficulty, thereby leading to potential unfairness. The petitioners have demanded that the examination be conducted in a single shift to ensure a “just, fair, reasonable and equitable” assessment for all candidates.
The development follows the Supreme Court’s recent directions aimed at curbing seat-blocking in NEET-PG counselling. The court had also mandated the publication of raw scores, answer keys, and the normalization formula used in the examination process.
