In a significant move to ensure fairness and transparency in the conduct of the NEET PG 2025 examination, the Supreme Court of India has directed the National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to hold the postgraduate medical entrance exam in a single shift. The apex court’s decision comes in response to a series of petitions filed by aspirants, challenging the fairness of conducting the exam in multiple shifts.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court firmly stated that an examination conducted in two shifts cannot maintain uniformity in difficulty levels across both sessions. The court observed that a question paper set for different shifts, even with normalisation techniques, can never achieve the same level of difficulty. This discrepancy, the court said, compromises the integrity of the examination process and fails to offer a level playing field to all candidates.

The court was unequivocal in its directive to NBEMS, mandating that all necessary logistical arrangements to conduct the examination in a single shift must be completed by June 15, 2025. The bench further criticised the argument presented by NBEMS regarding the shortage of suitable examination centres equipped with reliable Wi-Fi, computer systems, and safety infrastructure. The judges dismissed this contention, asserting that in a country as technologically advanced as India, such limitations cannot be accepted as valid reasons for compromising the fairness of a national-level exam.

Referring to the previous year’s examination, which was conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode and in two shifts, the court made it clear that past practices cannot be used as a justification for repeating the same format. The justices emphasised that the NBEMS has a duty to explore better and more equitable ways of conducting the examination, especially when concerns of arbitrariness and inequality are being raised by aspiring medical students.

The controversy over the two-shift format stems from widespread criticism and anxiety among NEET PG candidates, who argue that the variation in difficulty levels between shifts undermines the fairness of the competitive exam. Petitioners pointed out that even though a normalisation process is used to equalise scores, it fails to truly bridge the gap created by differing paper toughness, thus leaving many students at a disadvantage.

One of the key arguments presented in the petition was that the two-shift model violates Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. The petitioners argued that candidates appearing in different shifts are not being treated equally, as the assessment conditions vary due to the nature of the questions and their difficulty levels.

The petition also invoked Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, including the right to a fair and just procedure. The aspirants claimed that the present system undermines this right by failing to provide a fair, transparent, and standardised examination process, thereby affecting their academic and professional futures.

The Supreme Court’s decision is being seen as a landmark moment for medical aspirants across the country. The ruling not only acknowledges the psychological and competitive impact of unequal testing conditions but also sends a strong message to examining bodies to uphold transparency and fairness in all competitive exams. By setting a clear deadline of June 15 for making the necessary logistical arrangements, the court has ensured that there is little room left for excuses or delays from the examining authority.

Legal and educational experts have welcomed the court’s intervention, highlighting the need for all national-level competitive exams to adopt practices that are consistent, unbiased, and technologically efficient. With lakhs of students vying for limited seats in postgraduate medical courses, even the smallest inconsistency can significantly impact results and future career paths.

As the NEET PG 2025 examination approaches, all eyes will now be on the NBEMS and its ability to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive. The judgement is likely to have far-reaching consequences, potentially influencing how other competitive examinations are conducted in India. For the aspiring medical community, this decision has offered a renewed sense of hope and fairness—reaffirming the principle that every student deserves an equal opportunity to succeed.