The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition challenging the two-shift format for NEET PG 2025. Learn why candidates are calling for a single-shift exam and how it may affect fairness and transparency in India’s postgraduate medical entrance test.

Supreme Court to Hear Petition Against Two-Shift Format for NEET PG 2025

A significant legal development is underway as the Supreme Court of India prepares to hear a case next week challenging the National Board of Examination (NBE)’s decision to conduct the NEET PG 2025 in two shifts.

The petition, which contests the fairness and transparency of the two-shift system, is scheduled for hearing before Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih. The petitioners have requested an urgent listing, emphasizing the need for a prompt decision before the examination, which begins on June 15, 2025.

Background of the Legal Challenge

The legal plea argues that conducting the exam in two separate shifts creates disparities due to varying difficulty levels in each session. According to the petitioners, this undermines a level playing field for all candidates.

In response to an earlier plea, the Court had issued notices to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Medical Commission, and the NBE on May 5, 2025.

NEET PG 2025 Schedule and Court Intervention

The NEET PG 2025 exam is officially scheduled for June 15, with results expected by July 15. In light of fairness concerns, the Supreme Court has already directed the authorities to:

Release raw scores

Publish answer keys

Disclose the normalization formula

These actions aim to improve transparency and reduce manipulation or error in evaluating candidates.

Why the Two-Shift Format Is Being Challenged

The petition stresses that the two-shift examination model lacks sufficient safeguards against inconsistencies. It alleges that discrepancies in question distribution across subjects between shifts may unfairly influence candidates’ scores and rankings.

The writ petition highlights a violation of Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution of India, arguing that the process denies candidates their fundamental right to a fair exam.

Impact of NEET PG 2024’s Two-Shift Pattern

Referring to the NEET PG 2024 exam, the plea claims that one shift featured an easier question paper, giving some candidates an undue advantage. An analysis by a “prominent online coaching platform” identified differences in the number and types of questions per subject between the two shifts.

These inconsistencies allegedly led to inflation and fluctuation in scores and rankings, undermining merit-based selection.

Petitioners Demand a Single-Shift NEET PG 2025

In conclusion, the petition strongly advocates for conducting NEET PG 2025 in a single shift to ensure fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all candidates. The petitioners argue this is the only practical solution to eliminate variations and uphold the integrity of the examination system.

Conclusion: Ensuring Fairness in NEET PG 2025

The upcoming Supreme Court hearing could have a significant impact on the structure of the NEET PG exam process. As thousands of aspirants prepare for one of India’s most competitive medical entrance tests, the demand for a single-shift examination underscores the growing concerns over fairness, transparency, and equality.