New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBE) to reschedule the NEET-PG 2025 examination to August 3, 2025, and conduct it in a single day, following the Court’s earlier direction to hold the exam in one shift instead of two.
A bench comprising justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Augustine George Masih allowed NBE's application seeking extension of time, which became necessary after the court’s May 30 order ruled against the originally planned two-shift format on June 15.
The court had then left room for the NBE to approach it again for a date extension.
Representing NBE, the counsel explained that the total candidature of over 2.5 lakh aspirants made it imperative to double the number of test centres from 450 to over 900, requiring extensive logistical preparation, additional security measures, and reopening of the application window to let candidates choose new test cities.
However, the bench expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in initiating preparations post the May 30 order.
Justice Masih questioned, “You haven’t started the process even. Why do you need two months? Children are studying. Admissions will be delayed.”
Justice Mishra too was sceptical, “You had to make security arrangements even for the June 15 exam. Why do you need so much time now?”
The NBE, supported by its technology partner TCS, insisted that August 3 was the earliest feasible date, due to infrastructure and scheduling constraints related to other national-level exams.
TCS, according to NBE, required time to conduct mock drills, system audits, hardware readiness checks, and ensure anti-cheating protocols at a national scale.
Candidate-side counsel opposed the delay, stating that TCS’s other exam responsibilities shouldn’t impact NEET-PG timelines.
Justice Masih suggested exploring a mid-July date, but ASG K.M. Nataraj, for the Union government, defended the proposed timeline, citing practical challenges in arranging nearly 1,000 secure test centres and mobilising trained manpower.
Eventually, the bench accepted the rationale and ruled, “We are satisfied that the prayer for extension of time to reschedule the exam on August 3, 2025, is bona fide.
"Accordingly, the time allowed by our order dated May 30 is extended, and NBE is permitted to hold the exam on August 3, 2025. No further extension shall be granted.”
The court reiterated that the exam must now be conducted in a single shift on a single day, bringing clarity to over 2.5 lakh medical aspirants awaiting final dates.
UNI SNG PRS