In a significant move to uphold fairness in medical entrance examinations, the Supreme Court of India has directed that the NEET-PG 2025 exam be conducted in a single shift nationwide. This decision overturns the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences’ (NBEMS) plan to hold the exam in two shifts, a format that raised concerns about potential disparities in question paper difficulty and evaluation standards.
The apex court emphasized that conducting the exam in multiple shifts could lead to “arbitrariness,” as no two question papers can be identical in difficulty. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Kumar, and NV Anjaria, rejected NBEMS’s argument citing logistical challenges and a shortage of examination centers. The court highlighted that with over two weeks remaining before the scheduled exam date of June 15, 2025, there is sufficient time to arrange the necessary infrastructure to facilitate a single-shift examination.
This ruling came in response to petitions from candidates who argued that the two-shift format could compromise the exam’s integrity and fairness. The court acknowledged these concerns, stating that even if only a few candidates raised valid points, it warrants judicial intervention to ensure equitable treatment for all aspirants.
The Supreme Court’s directive aims to eliminate any perceived advantages or disadvantages arising from differing exam timings, thereby promoting a level playing field for all candidates vying for postgraduate medical seats.
