New Delhi, June 1, 2025 — In a crucial development for lakhs of medical aspirants across India, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has filed an application in the Supreme Court of India seeking permission to conduct the much-awaited NEET PG 2025 examination on August 3, 2025. This comes in the wake of the apex court’s ruling that the examination should be held in a single shift, rather than the initially proposed two-shift format.
This decision affects more than 2.42 lakh candidates who had registered for the postgraduate medical entrance examination and were awaiting clarity on the new exam date after the original June 15 schedule was postponed.
Why Was NEET PG 2025 Postponed?
The NEET PG 2025 exam, originally scheduled for June 15, 2025, faced widespread opposition from candidates and medical associations after it was revealed that the exam would be held in two shifts on the same day. The petitioners, including the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) and other groups, approached the Supreme Court, arguing that holding the test in two shifts could lead to discrepancies in difficulty levels and compromise the fairness of the examination.
On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court sided with the petitioners, stating that conducting the exam in multiple shifts was “arbitrary and unreasonable.” The court highlighted that two different question papers, even if carefully balanced, could never be guaranteed to be of identical difficulty, thus potentially disadvantaging one group of candidates over another.
As a result, the court directed NBEMS to reschedule the exam in a single shift, even if it required additional time and resources.
Read Also: Supreme Court’s Verdict Sparks Major Overhaul in NEET PG 2025 Exam Schedule
NBEMS Requests August 3 Date for NEET PG 2025
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the NBEMS, along with its technology partner Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), proposed August 3, 2025 as the earliest practical date for conducting the exam in a single shift across the country.
In its official application to the Supreme Court, NBEMS mentioned that the logistical challenges of organizing a single-shift national exam for over 2.42 lakh candidates would require a significant ramp-up of infrastructure, including:
- Increasing the number of exam centers from 448 to over 1,000
- Conducting the exam in more than 250 cities
- Deploying nearly 60,000 personnel, including invigilators, administrators, security, and IT support staff
- Setting up more than 2,000 local servers to manage the technical infrastructure and ensure seamless conduct of the computer-based exam.
The board has committed to ensuring all COVID-19 safety protocols, biometric security checks, and surveillance mechanisms remain uncompromised.
What Did the Supreme Court Say About NEET PG Exam Shifts?
In its strongly worded verdict, the Supreme Court noted, “Two question papers can never be said to have an identical level of difficulty or ease. Therefore, holding a highly competitive postgraduate medical entrance exam in two shifts would be arbitrary and disadvantageous to a section of aspirants.”
The Court emphasized that exams like NEET PG, which determine the fate of future medical professionals, must be conducted with the highest standards of transparency, equality, and fairness.
Further, the bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Rajesh Bindal instructed the NBEMS that it could request a reasonable postponement but must adhere to a single-shift examination format.
How Will the Postponement Impact Medical Students and Admission Calendar?
The postponement and rescheduling of NEET PG 2025 could cause a ripple effect on the academic calendar of medical colleges across the country. Admissions to postgraduate medical courses are typically aligned with the NEET PG results, and any delay in conducting the exam pushes back the start of PG classes.
Sources in the National Medical Commission (NMC) indicated that efforts would be made to minimize disruption to the academic session. However, if the August 3 date is approved, counseling processes may only begin in late August or early September 2025.
What Should NEET PG 2025 Aspirants Do Now?
Given the fresh developments, medical aspirants are advised to:
- Stay updated through official NBEMS websites: natboard.edu.in and nbe.edu.in
- Continue their preparation, as the new date provides additional time to revise and practice mock tests
- Regularly check for updates regarding city allotment, admit card download, and any changes in examination guidelines
- Follow authentic news sources for accurate information and avoid unverified social media rumors.
Previous NEET PG Postponements: A Pattern of Challenges
This is not the first time NEET PG exams have faced rescheduling. In recent years, issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, technical glitches, and legal disputes have led to multiple postponements of the exam, causing anxiety among medical students nationwide.
The latest postponement underscores the complexities of conducting large-scale computer-based national examinations while balancing fairness and logistical feasibility.
Expected Timeline for NEET PG 2025
| Event | Tentative Date |
| Supreme Court Approval | June 2025 (to be confirmed) |
| City Allotment Slip Release | July 2025 |
| Admit Card Download | Last week of July 2025 |
| NEET PG 2025 Examination | August 3, 2025 (proposed) |
| Result Declaration | 2nd week of August 2025 |
| Counseling Process Start | Late August 2025 |
(Note: Dates are tentative and subject to official confirmation.)
Final Word: NEET PG 2025 Rescheduling a Move Towards Fairness
While the postponement has understandably caused stress among candidates, the decision to move NEET PG 2025 to a single-shift format reflects the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants. If the Supreme Court grants approval for the proposed August 3 date, the medical entrance examination is set to be one of the largest single-session computer-based tests ever conducted in India.
Candidates are advised to remain calm, continue their preparation, and rely only on official announcements from NBEMS.
