New Delhi: The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has approached the Supreme Court to request the postponement of the NEET PG 2025 exam to August 3, 2025. This delay is necessary to facilitate the single-shift conduction of the postgraduate medical entrance test.
The NEET PG 2025 was originally slated for June 15, 2025. However, following directions from the Supreme Court, the NBE deferred the exam. They subsequently issued official notifications, clarifying that new dates would only be released after the apex court's approval.
The NBE's application to the Supreme Court highlights several logistical challenges in moving to a single-shift format:
Technology Partner's Availability: According to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the NBE's technology partner, August 3 is the earliest feasible date to conduct the exam in a single shift. TCS noted that the period between May 30 and June 15 was insufficient for the necessary preparations.
Increased Infrastructure Requirements: Shifting to a single session demands a significantly greater number of test centers across more cities, along with extensive hardware supply chain management. As reported by LiveLaw, the NBE's application states: "The current booking of test centres is double the capacity as the examination was planned at the centres in two shifts... 1000+ Centres shall need to be booked and engaged which will require considerable time. The infrastructure needed to be engaged to execute a shift of 242679 Candidates with Buffer would require Infrastructure for 2.70 Lakh to be made available across the country which will require considerable amount of time."
Reconducted Application Process: The postponement necessitates reopening the application window. Candidates will need a fresh opportunity to select their preferred test city, leading to a re-distribution of candidates to test centers. This process will also take time, with candidates being informed of their city at least two weeks before the exam and receiving admit cards four days prior.
Additional Manpower: A significant increase in staff, including invigilators, security personnel, and network administrators, is required. The NBE's application, quoted by LiveLaw, emphasizes that "The hiring of a high volume of quality manpower, Training, and preparation of such a high number of Manpower and conducting multiple dry runs and mocks with them would require considerable time."
Malpractice Prevention: Given NEET PG's high stakes, tackling malpractices is a major challenge that requires collaboration with all law enforcement agencies.
Operational Readiness: To ensure a smooth single-shift exam, the NBE cited the extensive time needed for secure examination premises, adequate compatible computer systems, three-tier power backup, network infrastructure, security software and hardware, trained technical manpower, anti-cheating and surveillance measures, and operational readiness, including mock drills, load tests, and system audits.
Earlier, Medical Dialogues reported that doctors were seeking clarity on the NEET PG 2025 exam date. Rumors circulated after the Supreme Court directed the NBE to conduct the exam in a single shift. The Apex Court bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NK Anjaria, observed, "Holding the exam in two shifts leads to arbitrariness and cannot give a level playing field. The question papers in the two shifts can never be of the same difficulty level."
The court dismissed the NBE's initial concerns about a lack of adequate exam centers, directing them to make the necessary arrangements for a single shift. The court also granted the NBE permission to postpone the exam beyond June 15 if sufficient centers could not be arranged in time. Consequently, the NBE postponed NEET PG 2025 to secure more test centers and the required infrastructure.
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