NEET PG 2025 to Be Held in One Shift, Rules Supreme Court

In a major win for medical aspirants, the Supreme Court ordered the NEET PG 2025 exam to be conducted in a single shift on June 15, rejecting the National Board of Examinations’ two-shift plan.The decision, hailed by medical aspirants across X, addresses concerns about fairness and transparency in the postgraduate medical entrance exam. The court’s order ensures all candidates face the same question paper, leveling the playing field for thousands vying for medical seats.

Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling

A bench led by Justice Vikram Nath, alongside Justices Sanjay Kumar and N V Anjaria, ruled that the two-shift format risked “arbitrariness” due to potential variations in question paper difficulty. The court responded to a petition by 17 NEET PG aspirants challenging the NBE’s plan, which could have disadvantaged candidates in tougher shifts. The single-shift directive mandates a uniform exam process, ensuring fairness.

Why the Two-Shift Plan Sparked Controversy

The NBE’s initial plan to hold NEET PG 2025 in two shifts was meant to accommodate over 2 lakh candidates but drew criticism for its normalization process, which adjusts scores based on shift difficulty. Aspirants argued this method lacked transparency and could skew rankings, a concern echoed from the NEET UG 2024 controversy. The Supreme Court agreed, emphasizing that a single shift eliminates discrepancies and upholds merit. The ruling aligns with past efforts to streamline competitive exams in India.

Impact on Aspirants and Exam Logistics

The decision brings relief to candidates who feared unequal treatment. A single-shift exam, likely spanning 3.5 hours, will require robust logistics, including more exam centers across cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. The NBE has been directed to finalize arrangements within two weeks, ensuring secure question paper distribution. Students on X are sharing preparation tips, with some joking, “One shift, one chance, time to ace it!”

Many congratulations to all the #NEETPG2025 aspirants. #historicaldecision

NEET PG To be held in one shift only!! pic.twitter.com/F1r1Fsu6ZK

— FAIMA Doctors Association (@FAIMA_INDIA_) May 30, 2025

A Step Toward Fairness

As candidates gear up for June 15, the decision has sparked optimism, with X users praising the court for prioritizing fairness. The ruling sets a precedent for future exams, ensuring transparency remains at the core of India’s competitive testing framework.