Poonam Nath

Medical exam body to reschedule NEET PG to August 3- Supreme Court orders

Digital Desk: The Supreme Court granted the National Board of Examinations (NBE) appeal to postpone the NEET PG 2025 exam till August 3. The exam was originally set for June 15.

A bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Augustine George Masih approved the NBE's application for an extension of time to conduct the NEET exam.

The bench stated that the NBE's proposal was based on technical constraints. "Request made by NBE saying 3rd August is the earliest possible date given by its technology partner TCS," according to the court.

The Supreme Court also underlined that this extension would be definitive. "As a result, the time specified in our previous order for holding the NEET test has been extended. No further extensions will be granted," it stated.

During the hearing today, the bench originally questioned the NBE about the need to postpone the exam until August 3. The NBE's lawyer responded by explaining that the exam was originally scheduled for approximately 2.5 lakh participants across 450 venues.

However, to comply with the Court's directive to conduct the exam in a single shift, the number of centers must be doubled. Identifying suitable centers and making adequate security procedures will take more time, stated according to the Live Law.

Additionally, candidates need to be aware of the updated centers so they can make the appropriate choices, which is a time-consuming process.

The apex court had previously been notified by the NBE that the exam could not be held before August 3. This change came since the Supreme Court ordered that NEET PG be conducted nationwide in a single shift as opposed to the two-shift model used the previous year.

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has emphasized the importance of planning for the upcoming NEET PG computer-based test until August 3. It cited Tata Consultancy Services' inputs on the massive coordination required and stressed the need for enhanced coordination with law enforcement agencies and tighter center monitoring to prevent malpractice.