30 May,2025 03:35 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Additionally, the bench has directed NBE to maintain transparency in the examination process. This includes identifying secure centres and maintaining fairness for all candidates. Representational pic
The Supreme Court (SC) of India on Monday directed that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for postgraduation programme (NEET- PG) be conducted in a single shift instead of two shifts. This verdict overturned the earlier decision of the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to conduct the exams in two shifts on June 15, reported PTI.
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Sanjay Kumar, and NV Anjaria stressed that conducting the examination in two shifts could lead to âarbitrariness'. Both the question papers could differ as they cannot have the same level of difficulties, developing potential disadvantages for some candidates, the court stated.
"Any two question papers can never be said to be having an identical level of difficulty or ease," the bench said.
The decision comes in response to multiple petitions filed by the United Doctors Front (UDF) and other aspiring candidates, who argued that the two-shift format is unfair as the difficulty of the question paper will differ, creating complexities of scores. The petitioners emphasised that such format will prioritise âluck factor' over merit.
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The NBE justified that the two-shift plan will reduce the logistical challenges, which includes the reduction of examination centres from 1,000 to 450. This reduced number of exam centres follows the 2024 recommendation of the committee to conduct exams in government and TCS-approved centres.
The apex court dismissed this justification, stating that with over two weeks remaining before exam date, NBA has sufficient time to implement the arrangements for a single-shift examination.
"We are not ready to accept that in the entire country and considering the technological advancements, the examining body could not find enough centers to hold the examination in one shift," the court observed.
Additionally, the bench has directed NBE to maintain transparency in the examination process. This includes identifying secure centres and maintaining fairness for all candidates.
The NEET-PG 2025 exam is scheduled to be held on June 15, and the registered candidates will get their admit cards on June 2. The results are anticipated by July 15.
The Supreme Court verdict is an effort to develop transparency and fairness in the medical entrance examinations. Earlier, the court had directed to publish raw scores and answer keys to prevent malpractices such as seat blocking.
(With inputs from PTI)
