Supreme Court Approves NEET-PG 2025 Exam Rescheduling to August 3
New Delhi, June 6, 2025 – In a significant development for medical aspirants across India, the Supreme Court has granted the National Board of Examinations (NBE) permission to conduct the NEET-PG 2025 exam on August 3, 2025. The decision came after the NBE filed a rescheduling request on June 3, citing major logistical constraints in conducting the exam earlier.
Court Recognizes Genuineness of Rescheduling Request
A two-judge vacation bench, comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Augustine George Masih, acknowledged the legitimacy of NBE’s plea. The court stated:
“We are satisfied that the prayer for extension of time to reschedule the exam on 3 August 2025 is bona fide.”
The court modified its earlier order dated May 30, which had mandated that the exam be conducted in a single shift, disallowing the originally planned two-shift format. With this approval, the exam—originally scheduled for June 15—has been officially pushed to August 3, with no further extensions to be granted.
Logistical and Operational Challenges Highlighted
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj, representing the Union of India, elaborated on the logistical difficulties of holding the exam on June 15. He explained that nearly 1,000 test centres would be needed to accommodate all candidates in a single shift—more than double the number required for a two-shift exam.
Ensuring security, deploying sufficient staff, and coordinating infrastructure across such a vast network in a short time was deemed “virtually impossible.” The ASG also noted that any technical or security lapses could compromise the integrity of the examination process.
Candidate Counsel’s Objection Overruled
Counsel representing candidates argued that TCS, the exam’s tech partner, should not delay NEET-PG because of other ongoing examinations. However, the NBE clarified that the delay was in the best interest of the students, ensuring a fair and secure process.
“The time is taken only for the benefit of the students,” the NBE stated.
Why August 3 Was Chosen
In its submission, the NBE noted that TCS confirmed the earliest feasible date to hold a single-shift exam was August 3. Organizing such a massive examination required mock drills, system audits, and the deployment of trained personnel including invigilators, tech staff, and independent observers.
The NBE emphasized that the logistical demands of a single-shift format are significantly higher than a two-shift model. It requires broader geographical coverage, more infrastructure, and rigorous testing of systems.
“Mobilising and training such personnel across hundreds of new locations in under two weeks is a logistical impossibility,” the NBE argued.
The infrastructure must accommodate approximately 2.70 lakh candidates, including a buffer, with full operational readiness across more than 1,000 centres.
Final Word from the Court
The court, after considering all factors, concluded that both the NBE and TCS presented valid and justifiable reasons for seeking more time. Hence, the court allowed the rescheduling request and firmly stated that no further extensions would be granted.
The NEET-PG 2025 examination will now be held on August 3, 2025, in a single shift. While some candidates expressed concern over the delay, the Supreme Court’s decision underscores the importance of a well-prepared, secure, and equitable examination process for all aspirants.
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