NEET-PG 2025: Supreme Court bans two-shift exam, orders single shift for fairness
NEET-PG 2025: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to conduct the NEET-PG 2025 examination in a single shift, citing concerns over fairness and arbitrariness associated with multiple shifts.
The apex court is of the view that conducting the examination in two shifts compromises the level playing field and questioned the effectiveness of the normalisation process used to equate different papers.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice NV Anjaria issued the directive while hearing petitions that challenged NBE’s decision to conduct NEET-PG 2025 in two shifts. The exam is scheduled for June 15.
The Supreme Court categorically stated that conducting the exam in two shifts introduces inherent arbitrariness, as it is impossible to ensure identical levels of difficulty in separate question papers. "Any two question papers can never be of an identical level of difficulty or ease. There has to be a variation," the Bench noted.
The judges directed the NBE to make all necessary arrangements to hold the examination in a single shift across the country. They dismissed the argument that a lack of infrastructure necessitated multiple shifts, asserting that the NBE had adequate time—over two weeks—to identify and secure additional centers.
“We are not ready to accept that, in a country as vast and technologically advanced as India, the examining body cannot identify enough centres for a single-shift examination,” the court said.
The NBE had argued that normalisation adequately compensates for differences in paper difficulty. However, the court rejected the routine application of normalisation, calling it unsuitable for ensuring fairness. “Normalisation may be used in exceptional circumstances, but not year after year,” the court stated.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners contended that holding the exam in two shifts allows luck to overshadow merit. They emphasised that varying question papers create unequal opportunities, leading to skewed results. They also cited instances from NEET-PG 2024, where the second shift was reportedly easier, creating an unfair advantage for some candidates.
Senior advocate Maninder Acharya, appearing for the NBE, defended the two-shift model, stating that limited infrastructure for online exams, including the need for secure centres with reliable internet and computers, left no alternative. She warned that interference from the court at this stage might delay the exam and subsequent admission process.
However, the Bench dismissed these apprehensions and said the NBE could seek an extension if it could not complete the arrangements by June 15. “Don't give us a threat that admissions will be delayed. You can do it,” Justice Nath responded firmly.
Other exams not comparable, says Bench
When NBE’s counsel pointed out that several national-level exams like CAT, JEE, CUET, and IN-CET are also held in multiple shifts, the court maintained that NEET-PG is unique and cannot be compared with these exams. The Bench reiterated that NEET-PG must ensure a fair and equitable assessment for all candidates.
Background of the case
The petitioners had approached the Supreme Court seeking to invalidate the two-shift policy for NEET-PG 2025, arguing that it violated the principles of equality under Article 14 and fairness under Article 21 of the Constitution. They cited the 2024 exam’s controversial two-shift format, which had also sparked litigation due to disparities in subject weightage and paper difficulty.
The court had earlier, on May 5, sought responses from the NBE, the National Medical Commission, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the plea.
- With inputs from agencies
