Fresh application process, additional manpower, and security measures to be arranged for over 2.7 lakh candidates
New Delhi: In a major development concerning NEET PG 2025, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) has filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking approval to reschedule the examination to August 3, 2025, citing logistical and technical challenges in conducting the exam in a single shift, as per the court’s earlier directive.
Originally scheduled for June 15, 2025, the exam was postponed following a Supreme Court ruling that ordered the exam be held in a single session to ensure uniformity and fairness. The court had observed that holding the high-stakes exam in two shifts, as done previously, could compromise the level playing field due to inevitable variations in question paper difficulty.
Why August 3?
According to NBE’s plea, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) — the technology partner tasked with conducting the examination — stated that the earliest feasible date for a single shift NEET PG is August 3, 2025. The compressed timeline between May 30 and June 15 was deemed insufficient for preparing the required infrastructure.
“Over 1,000 test centres across multiple cities will be required to handle 2.7 lakh candidates in one go,” the NBE explained. “This demands extensive hardware management, security layers, and logistics which cannot be arranged within two weeks.”
Fresh Application Window & Logistics
With the exam shift, NBE will reopen the application window, allowing candidates to reselect test cities. The distribution of candidates, preparation of admit cards, and logistical arrangements will be carried out afresh.
Candidates will:
- Receive test city details 2 weeks prior to the exam,
- Be issued admit cards 4 days before the examination.
The entire process involves coordination of:
- Additional manpower: Invigilators, security personnel, network admins,
- Dry runs and mock drills for each test centre,
- System audits and anti-cheating surveillance mechanisms.
Security & Anti-Cheating Preparedness
NBE underscored that exam integrity is paramount. “To prevent malpractices, collaboration with law enforcement and execution of three-tier power backups, surveillance tools, and secure exam premises is essential,” the plea stated.
Background: Supreme Court Mandate
The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed NBE’s objections about limited capacity, asserting that all candidates deserve an equal chance.
“Last year’s two-shift model was situational. Moving forward, the exam must be held in a single uniform shift,” the bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NK Anjaria had observed.
The court permitted postponement beyond June 15 if necessary to comply with its mandate.
What Next?
The Supreme Court’s approval for the August 3 date is now awaited. Once cleared:
- Revised application schedule will be released,
- Mock drills and site inspections will be intensified,
- Candidates will receive updated instructions and timelines.
