The Supreme Court today delivered a significant ruling on a petition filed regarding the NEET PG examination. The court mandated that, similar to NEET UG, the NEET PG examination will now be conducted in a single shift.
NEET PG: The Supreme Court delivered a landmark decision on Friday concerning NEET-PG, one of the most prestigious medical entrance examinations. The court explicitly directed that the upcoming NEET PG examination will be held in a single shift, mirroring the format of NEET-UG. This decision brings relief to thousands of candidates who have long advocated for equal opportunity and transparency in the examination.
What is the Case About?
The National Board of Examinations (NBE) had issued a notification to conduct the NEET PG 2025 examination in two shifts. Several candidates challenged this notification in the Supreme Court, arguing that a two-shift examination could result in varying difficulty levels across question papers, thereby compromising equal opportunity for all students.
After hearing the petition, the bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Kumar, and N.V. Ramana ordered that the NEET PG examination scheduled for June 15, 2025, be conducted in a single shift.
Supreme Court's Key Observations
During the hearing, the bench made several crucial observations. Notably, the court stated that examinations conducted in two shifts may not have question papers of equal difficulty levels. This affects the sense of equal opportunity and violates the principles of fairness and transparency in the examination.
Justice Sanjay Kumar explicitly stated, "Normalization can be an exception, not the rule. Adopting it as a standard procedure every year is not appropriate."
NBE's Argument Rejected
The NBE argued that conducting the examination for all candidates nationwide in a single shift was logistically infeasible due to a lack of sufficient examination centers. The court responded sharply, stating that assuming insufficient examination centers despite significant technological advancements in the country is a weak argument. The examination body must plan and conduct the examination in a single shift.
Instructions Prioritizing Transparency
The court not only directed a single-shift examination but also issued clear instructions to ensure transparency throughout the examination process. The bench emphasized that students nationwide deserve equal and fair examination opportunities, and every necessary step must be taken to ensure this.
This Supreme Court decision has been welcomed by students and academic experts alike. Many candidates on social media hailed the decision as a "historic step in the interests of students." Academic experts believe this ruling bly signals a commitment to fairness and quality in the medical education system.
