NEET PG 2025 to Be Held in a Single Shift on August 3: Supreme Court Clears NBEMS Request

In a significant development for postgraduate medical aspirants, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses (NEET PG) 2025 will now be conducted in a single shift on August 3, 2025, as per the direction of the Supreme Court of India. This decision follows a legal challenge to the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences’ (NBEMS) initial plan to hold the exam in two shifts on June 15.

Background: Petition Challenges Two-Shift Format

The matter was taken to court through a petition challenging NBEMS’ decision to divide the exam into two shifts. Petitioners raised concerns regarding uniformity, fairness, and standardisation of assessment across different time slots. A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and A.G. Masih heard the matter and, on May 30, directed NBEMS to conduct the exam in one shift to ensure parity for all candidates.

Supreme Court Questions Lack of Infrastructure

In its ruling, the Supreme Court was critical of the NBEMS' argument that the lack of sufficient exam centres necessitated a two-shift format. The bench stated, “We are not ready to accept that in the entire country, and considering the technological advancements, the examining body could not find enough centres to hold the examination in one shift.”

The judges firmly rejected the logistical excuse and emphasized that a single-shift format was necessary for equal opportunity and transparency. Following the directive, NBEMS filed a formal request seeking an extension of time to reorganize the exam into one shift.

Court Presses NBEMS for Justification

During the latest hearing on June 6, Justice Mishra and Justice Masih pressed NBEMS to justify the requested extension till August 3. Expressing concern over delays, Justice Masih remarked, “You haven’t started the process even. The order was passed on May 30. What have you done after that? This is delaying. Why do you need two months?”

The court made it clear that while it was permitting the extension, NBEMS must act swiftly to avoid further delays.

TCS Involvement and Finalisation of Date

NBEMS cited a letter from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)—the technical partner responsible for conducting the examination—as a key reason for the date selection. TCS reportedly informed NBEMS that the next feasible slot for holding the exam in a single shift was on August 3. This date was agreed upon after multiple rounds of high-level meetings involving TCS, NBEMS, and government officials.

Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, confirmed that the August 3 date was finalized after considering all logistical and administrative challenges. With the Supreme Court’s approval, preparations are now underway for a single-session NEET PG 2025.

What This Means for Aspirants

This ruling brings clarity to the examination schedule for thousands of medical graduates across India. The exam, a gateway to various postgraduate medical programs, is highly competitive and demands months of preparation. Uncertainty over exam dates or format often leads to increased stress and planning issues for candidates.

With the new date confirmed and the exam to be held in a single uniform session, aspirants can now strategize their preparation more effectively, ensuring fair competition under standardized testing conditions.

Flashback: NEET PG 2024 Held in Two Shifts

Interestingly, the NEET PG 2024 marked the first time the exam was held in two shifts, with sessions conducted from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm on August 11, 2024. While this move was made to accommodate the rising number of applicants, it attracted criticism over possible inconsistencies between different exam sessions.

The backlash, combined with this year’s legal challenge, has now prompted a return to the single-shift model, reinstating the exam's traditional format.

Key Takeaways

• NEET PG 2025 will be held on August 3 in a single shift, ensuring uniformity for all candidates.
• The Supreme Court intervened after a petition challenged NBEMS’ original plan for two shifts.
• Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and A.G. Masih emphasized that logistical limitations cannot compromise fairness.
• NBEMS was criticized for the delay in planning and only received the extension after being scrutinized by the court.
• A letter from Tata Consultancy Services confirmed August 3 as the earliest available date for a unified exam session.
• The decision restores a fair and standardised evaluation environment for all NEET PG aspirants.
   

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decisive role in reshaping the NEET PG 2025 schedule underlines the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring fairness in high-stakes examinations. The move to a single-shift format is expected to enhance trust in the system and reduce ambiguity for candidates preparing across the country. As the new date approaches, candidates can now focus on their preparation without the distractions of format-related uncertainties.

Stay tuned for further updates on the NEET PG 2025 admit card release, exam pattern, and result announcements. For detailed coverage of India’s top medical entrance exams, follow our education news section.