NEET-PG 2025 To Be Held On August 3 In Single Shift; Supreme Court Allows NBE Time Extension

The Supreme Court on Friday (June 6) allowed the National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences to reschedule the NEET-PG exam to August 3, 2025.A bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Augustine George Masih allowed the application filed by the NBE for extension of time to conduct the NEET exam till August 3, 2025.On May 30, the Supreme Court, while ordering the NBE to hold NEET-PG 2025 in single shift instead of two shifts, had directed it to conduct the exam on the initially scheduled date of June 15, 2025. At the same time, the Court had allowed the NBE to seek extension of time.Later, on June 3, the NBE filed an application seeking extension of time, saying that it needs to increase the number of centres by two-fold (from 450 to 900) and that security arrangements have to be done. The NBE also said that, even according to their technology partner TCS, August 3 is the nearest available date to conduct NEET.During the hearing today, the bench initially questioned the NBE, asking why time was needed till August 3. The counsel for the NBE explained that the exam was initially proposed to be held in 450 centres with over 2.5 lakh candidates. Since the Court has directed the holding of exam in one shift, the number of centres will have to be doubled. The counsel said that it will take time to identify the centres and to ensure security arrangements. After that, the candidates need to be informed of the centres so that they can select. He said that this was a time-consuming process.The bench however, questioned why time of two months was needed for this exercise. "You want time till August 3? Why so much time?," Justice Mishra asked."You haven't started the process even. The order was passed on May 30. What have you done after that? This is delaying. Why you need two months?" Justice Masih asked. The NBE's counsel referred to the letter sent by the TCS, as per which the exam can be held only on August 3. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, for the Union Government, also weighed in, saying that this decision to hold the exam on August 3 was taken after several rounds of high-level meetings. However, when Justice Masih asked why can't the exam be held in July, ASG requested that time be granted till Monday to get back to the court after one more round of discussion.At this juncture, Justice Mishra said that the bench will dispose of the application today itself, allowing NBE's prayer.The bench observed in its order that it was satisfied that the NBE's prayer was bona fide and allowed it to conduct the exam on August 3, 2025. The bench clarified that no further time extension will be granted.Earlier, the NBE had decided to postpone the NEET-PG exam, initially scheduled on June 15, following the Supreme Court's direction to hold it in a single shift instead of double shifts.The Court, in its order passed on May 30, had criticised the NBE decision to hold the exam in two shifts.In its application, NBE said August 3 is the earliest possible available date given by its technology partner TCS to conduct the exam in single shift.As per TCS, time remaining between May 30 and June 15 was insufficient to hold the exam in a single shift— as now there will be a requirement to provide a greater number of Centres in a greater number of Cities and an extensive hardware supply chain management."The current booking of test centres is double the capacity as the examination was planned at the centres in two shifts...1000+ Centres shall need to be booked and engaged which will require considerable time. The infrastructure needed to be engaged to execute a shift of 242679 Candidates with Buffer would require Infrastructure for 2.70 Lakh to be made available across the country which will require considerable amount of time," the application states.Further, the application window will need to be reopened and candidates will need to be given a fresh opportunity to opt for the test city of their choice in accordance with the Information Bulletin. After the receipt of new test city choices from the candidates, the distribution of candidates at the test centres shall need to be done afresh. This process would also take some time.After the completion of the aforementioned process, candidates will be informed of their test city at least two weeks prior to the date of the examination and the admit card informing the candidates of their specific centre at least 4 days before the said exam for the purposes of enabling the candidates to make appropriate arrangements for travel, etc. to take the exam. There will also be requirement of additional manpower, ranging from Invigilators, Security Staff, Network Admins, etc. "The hiring of the high volume of quality manpower, Training, and preparation of such high number of Manpower and conducting multiple dry runs and mocks with them would require considerable time," the application adds.NBE also highlighted that NEET PG is a high stake exam and tackling malpractices is a...

NEET-PG 2025 To Be Held On August 3 In Single Shift; Supreme Court Allows NBE Time Extension

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The Court clarified that no further time extension will be granted.

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