MP High Court Halts NEET UG 2025 Results Over Power Outage Controversy
In a significant legal development that could impact nearly 21 lakh medical aspirants across India, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued an interim stay on the NEET UG 2025 results declaration. The decision comes in response to a petition filed by a female candidate who claimed her exam performance was severely affected due to a power outage at her examination centre in Indore.
What Triggered the Stay?
The petitioner, a female student from Indore, approached the High Court after her NEET-UG 2025 exam on May 4 was disrupted by an electricity failure. On the exam day, several areas of Indore experienced power outages due to bad weather, including thunderstorm activity. The girl alleged that the conditions at her test centre were not conducive to taking such a critical exam, as the authorities had failed to ensure backup power arrangements.
Her plea requested that she reappear for the exam, citing unfair conditions that compromised her ability to perform.
Court’s Observations and Directions
Hearing the petition, Justice Subodh Abhyankar granted interim relief and observed that the power outage impacted the entrance exam environment. The court stated that the respondents failed to ensure proper exam conditions, directly affecting the petitioner’s chances.
In a decisive move, Justice Abhyankar stated:
"It is directed that till the next hearing date, the result of NEET-UG shall not be declared by the respondents."
The court noted the absence of legal representatives from the concerned authorities, despite earlier directions asking them to be present and respond to the plea.
Respondents Under Scrutiny
The High Court has issued notices to the following respondents:
- National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Ministry of Education (Central Government)
- Madhya Pradesh West Zone Electricity Distribution Company
All parties have been directed to file their replies within four weeks. The matter has been scheduled for the next hearing on June 30, just two weeks after the tentative result date of June 14.
Exam Held in Candlelight? Advocate Raises Alarming Details
Speaking to PTI, the petitioner’s counsel, Mridul Bhatnagar, provided alarming insights into the condition of several NEET centres in Indore:
- Many test centres had no generators or alternative power sources.
- This was despite the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing thunderstorm warnings in advance for May 4.
- As a result, power outages ranging from one to two hours affected many exam centres during the three-hour NEET-UG exam.
- Students were allegedly forced to write the paper under candlelight in some centers.
If confirmed, these revelations would highlight a serious breach of examination protocols, especially for an entrance test as competitive and high-stakes as NEET-UG.
Implications for Over 21 Lakh NEET Aspirants
The court’s decision has thrown a curveball into the NEET-UG 2025 results process. With over 21 lakh students appearing for the exam this year, a nationwide stay on result declaration could delay counselling, admissions, and subsequent academic calendars for medical institutions.
Students, parents, and coaching institutes nationwide are now on edge, awaiting further clarity.
If the court upholds the plea in its final verdict, it could set a precedent for students impacted by logistical failures during national entrance exams, opening the door for retests or compensation mechanisms in the future.
What Happens Next?
As of now, the following developments are expected:
- The NEET UG 2025 results, earlier anticipated by June 14, stand indefinitely postponed.
- The next court hearing is on June 30, where the final direction regarding re-examination or result processing may be issued.
- The NTA and government bodies must submit comprehensive responses addressing the alleged mismanagement.
NEET UG: A Test of Dreams and Infrastructure
The NEET UG exam is the gateway to India's MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical programmes. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam demands high mental focus and a stress-free environment.
This incident from Indore underscores a deeper issue—infrastructure preparedness at exam centres, especially during unpredictable weather events. With climate-related disruptions becoming more frequent, educational authorities may need to rethink contingency plans for large-scale exams.
Conclusion
The Madhya Pradesh High Court's interim stay on NEET UG 2025 results highlights a troubling lapse in examination management that could have far-reaching implications. While justice for the petitioner is being pursued, it also opens a broader dialogue on fairness, preparedness, and student rights during national exams.
As the next hearing on June 30 approaches, NEET aspirants, parents, and educators will be watching closely, hoping for a resolution that balances fairness for the affected and clarity for the masses.
