Supreme Court directs NEET-PG 2025 to be held in one shift on June 15, 2025, ensuring fairness. Get exam dates, details, and updates at The Interview Times.
Landmark Ruling for NEET-PG 2025
In a significant ruling on May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court of India directed the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to conduct the NEET-PG 2025 examination in a single shift, scrapping the proposed two-shift format.
The decision, delivered by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Kumar, and N V Anjaria, responds to petitions from medical aspirants, including Dr. Aditi, who challenged the fairness of the two-shift system.
The petitioners argued that varying question paper difficulties across shifts could disadvantage candidates, violating their rights to equality and a fair examination under Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
NEET-PG 2025 Exam Schedule and Logistics
The NEET-PG 2025 exam is scheduled for June 15, 2025, with results expected by July 15, 2025. Candidates can download their admit cards from natboard.edu.in starting June 2, 2025. The shift to a single-session exam poses logistical challenges for the NBE, which must now secure larger venues and additional invigilators to accommodate approximately 2 lakh candidates across 179 test cities in India. The court has instructed the NBE to ensure seamless execution, emphasizing fairness and transparency in the process.
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Why the Two-Shift Format Was Contested
The two-shift format, used in previous exams like NEET-PG 2024, sparked controversy when candidates reported that the second shift’s question paper was easier, potentially skewing rankings. The normalization process to adjust scores across shifts lacked transparency, prompting legal challenges. The Supreme Court deemed the system “arbitrary and unfair,” citing the risk of inconsistent difficulty levels. Advocate Satyam Singh Rajpoot, representing the petitioners, argued that a single shift would ensure all candidates face the same question paper, eliminating discrepancies and upholding fairness.
The ruling has been met with widespread approval from the medical community. On X, aspirants expressed relief, with user @MedicoVoice posting, “Single shift for NEET-PG 2025 is a game-changer! Thank you, Supreme Court, for listening to us.”
Broader Implications for Medical Entrance Exams
The Supreme Court’s decision aligns with recent efforts to enhance transparency in NEET-PG processes. On May 5, 2025, the court directed the NBE to publish raw scores, answer keys, and normalization formulae to prevent issues like seat-blocking during counseling. These measures aim to create a more equitable system for India’s medical aspirants. The single-shift mandate could influence other national exams, prompting authorities to prioritize uniformity and transparency. For candidates, this change underscores the importance of focused preparation.
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Preparing for NEET-PG 2025
As the exam approaches, candidates should monitor NBE’s official website for updates on exam centers and guidelines. With the single-shift format confirmed, aspirants can focus on consistent preparation without worrying about shift-based disparities.