NEET-PG 2025: Supreme Court Allows Exams To Be Held On August 3 In Single-Shift, Rules Out Any Further Delay

The Supreme Court on Friday granted permission to the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to reschedule the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2025 to August 3. While approving the revised date, a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and A G Masih issued a clear warning that no further extension would be allowed under any circumstances.

The decision follows an application submitted by NBEMS earlier this week, in which the examination body sought to defer the exam from its originally scheduled date of June 15, citing logistical limitations raised by its technology partner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). NBEMS argued that the requirement to conduct the examination in a single shift, as directed by the court, necessitated the change due to the significant operational adjustments involved.

The Supreme Court, while acknowledging NBEMS’s constraints, also questioned why an earlier date in July could not have been considered, especially given TCS’s extensive infrastructure. Nonetheless, the court accepted the justification and issued the approval with the explicit caveat that the extension must not become a recurring practice.

The rescheduling comes in the wake of the court’s May 30 order mandating that NEET-PG 2025 be conducted in a single shift, to avoid discrepancies in the difficulty level of different question papers. The earlier plan to hold the exam in multiple shifts was challenged by student groups and medical associations, who argued that it compromised the fairness of the assessment process.

In its ruling, the bench had instructed NBEMS to “make necessary arrangements for holding the NEET-PG, 2025, examination in one shift, duly ensuring that complete transparency is maintained and secure centres are identified and commissioned.”

Reacting to the development, Mumbai-based medical education activist Brijesh Sutaria criticised the authorities for poor planning. “The Supreme Court has now officially permitted NEET PG 2025 to be conducted on August 3rd, citing NBEMS’s logistical constraints. While the Court rightly questioned why July wasn’t feasible given TCS’s vast infrastructure, it granted this extension with a firm caveat, no further delay will be tolerated,” he told The Free Press Journal.

“This postponement, though now clarified, reflects a glaring lack of readiness by the authorities. It’s not infrastructure that failed, it’s intent and foresight. NEET PG is not just an exam, it shapes the very core of India’s healthcare future. NBEMS must ensure this delay doesn’t become a precedent. For the sake of thousands of students who’ve already faced anxiety, disruption, and uncertainty, this must be the last detour. It’s time for transparent, accountable execution, not excuses,” he added.

Lakshya Mittal, president of United Doctors Front (UDF), one of the petitioners who had challenged the multi-shift plan, welcomed the court’s confirmation. “The Hon’ble Supreme Court has confirmed NEET-PG 2025 will be held on August 3 — in a single shift, as demanded by UDF and fellow petitioners. We urge all aspirants to kickstart their preparation with full focus and dedication,” he said.

With the examination date now finalised, students and stakeholders are hoping for a smooth and fair conduct of NEET-PG 2025, without further disruptions.