The Supreme Court of India is expected to announce its decision shortly regarding the proposed conduct of NEET PG 2025 in two shifts, a move that has garnered significant attention and sparked debate across the medical education community.
This development comes after multiple petitions were filed by students and concerned stakeholders, questioning the fairness and standardization of holding the highly competitive postgraduate medical entrance examination in different shifts.
Background of the Issue
The National Board of Examinations (NBE), which conducts NEET PG, had earlier suggested splitting the exam into two shifts to manage logistical challenges and accommodate the increasing number of candidates. However, this move has led to widespread concerns about potential disparities in question paper difficulty, leading to calls for a uniform exam schedule or a robust normalization process.
Students argued that unless a transparent and scientifically validated normalization method is used, holding the exam in two shifts could affect merit rankings and compromise fairness. Several aspirants approached the Supreme Court seeking intervention and a directive to conduct the exam in a single shift.
Supreme Court's Observation
The Supreme Court has acknowledged the urgency of the issue, considering the timelines of medical counselling and admissions. During recent hearings, the bench asked the NBE to justify its plan and whether it could ensure equal opportunity for all candidates if conducted in multiple shifts.
The Court also emphasized the need to protect the integrity of national-level entrance exams while balancing logistical realities faced by examination authorities.
NBE’s Stand
The NBE has argued that conducting NEET PG in a single shift has become increasingly difficult due to the rising number of applicants and limited availability of test centres. Officials stated that a two-shift model, with an advanced normalization process, is being considered to ensure transparency and fairness.
They also cited other national-level competitive exams like JEE Main and CUET UG, which follow a multi-shift format with percentile-based normalization.
What This Means for Candidates
For NEET PG aspirants, the Supreme Court's decision will play a crucial role in how they plan and prepare for the exam. If the two-shift format is approved, candidates must be prepared for slight changes in exam pattern and reporting procedures.
Until the final judgment is passed, candidates are advised to continue their preparation as per the current syllabus and guidelines while staying updated through the official NBE website and legal updates.
Expected Verdict Timeline
Legal experts expect the Supreme Court to deliver its decision within the coming days, possibly before the official NEET PG notification is released. This will allow the NBE enough time to incorporate the court's directives into the examination schedule and policy framework.
