As the NEET PG 2025 exam approaches on August 3, more than 2.4 lakh medical graduates are preparing for one of the most important milestones in their careers. This year’s exam is happening under a new format and intense scrutiny, following a Supreme Court ruling that mandated the exam be conducted in a single shift instead of the earlier two-shift model. While this decision aims to ensure fairness, it has also brought new challenges for aspirants and organizers alike.
🔹 Key Highlights:
- Supreme Court ordered a single-shift exam to ensure fairness for all candidates.
- Exam postponed to August 3 due to logistical challenges of accommodating over 2.4 lakh students in one session.
- Candidates report distant exam centers despite selecting nearby locations.
- Heavy rains expected around exam day raise concerns about travel.
- NBEMS issues new rules, including tattoo bans and monitored restroom breaks.
- Mental health, transparency, and scheduling remain key areas of concern.
Supreme Court Steps In to Ensure Fairness
On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court struck down the two-shift exam format, calling it “arbitrary and unfair.” The Court was responding to petitions from aspirants and groups like the United Doctors Front, who argued that the two-shift model caused disparities in difficulty levels, and the normalization process used last year lacked transparency.
To avoid these inconsistencies, the Court ordered that NEET PG 2025 be held in a single shift, so that all candidates face the same paper at the same time. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) then postponed the exam from June 15 to August 3 to accommodate this shift logistically.
NBEMS explained in court filings that organizing a single-session exam for such a large number of candidates requires over 1,000 test centers across 233 cities, more than 60,000 staff members, and strict control over question paper security.
Aspirants Struggle With Distant Exam Centers
While the one-shift model was welcomed, many candidates are frustrated by exam center allocations. Despite selecting nearby cities during the preference window (June 13–17), several students were assigned test centers in far-off states.
One such case raised by MP Shashi Tharoor involved candidates from Kerala, who were shocked to see local centers fill up within minutes. Tharoor wrote to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, requesting more centers in the state, saying many students were being forced to travel long distances at high costs.
Rain Clouds Over Exam Day
Adding to the stress is the weather forecast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts heavy monsoon rains in several regions, including Delhi-NCR, around exam day. Many candidates fear they might face travel delays, with some recalling incidents from past years when students were unable to reach centers due to flooding.
Calls on social media to reschedule the exam to September are gaining traction, with users citing travel safety and fairness. One candidate posted: “Doctors spend years preparing for this. Why risk everything because of the weather?”
New Rules: Digital Calculators Allowed, Tattoos Banned
NBEMS also released a detailed exam-day advisory which includes:
- Digital calculators will be provided on-screen for solving numerical questions.
- Tattoo ban to prevent any chance of hidden cheating materials.
- Monitored restroom breaks, raising concerns about privacy and added pressure.
The tattoo rule, especially, has confused and upset many candidates. Some are questioning whether it’s fair to restrict someone based on permanent body art.
Bigger Picture: Aspirants Demand Long-Term Reforms
Beyond this year’s logistical issues, NEET PG 2025 has reignited long-standing demands for systemic reform:
- Transparency: Aspirants want NBEMS to release answer keys and response sheets, which are currently withheld.
- Counseling delays: Last year’s NEET PG 2024 counseling stretched into March 2025, disrupting academic schedules.
- Predictable calendar: Students are calling for a fixed annual timeline—suggesting exams in September, counseling after Dussehra, and classes post-Diwali.
Medical associations like the IMA Junior Doctors Network support these reforms, warning of the mental health toll on candidates caused by repeated postponements and uncertainties.
Social Media: A Mix of Frustration and Motivation
The hashtag #NEETPG2025 is trending, filled with both complaints and words of encouragement. While some vent about travel issues, unfair center allotments, and weather fears, others are boosting morale by sharing last-minute tips and motivational quotes.
Aspirants are reminding each other to stay focused, keep calm, and give their best—despite the chaos.
What Comes Next?
As the exam day nears, candidates are advised to:
- Download admit cards from the official sites (natboard.edu.in or nbe.edu.in).
- Check exam city intimation slips and reach centers early to avoid delays.
- Follow NBEMS guidelines strictly to avoid disqualification.
Final Thoughts
NEET PG 2025 is more than just an exam—it’s a reflection of the pressures, priorities, and problems facing India’s medical education system. The Supreme Court’s intervention is a positive first step, but deeper, lasting reforms are needed to create a system that is not just efficient, but also fair, transparent, and student-friendly.
Whether this exam becomes a turning point will depend on how seriously the authorities respond to these valid concerns.
Disclaimer: For the most accurate and updated information, candidates should rely on official announcements from NBEMS. Avoid rumors and unverified claims on social media.
