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Indore, July 3, 2025 — The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Division Bench has stayed an earlier order that directed a re-examination for 75 NEET-UG 2025 candidates who were affected by a power outage during the May 4 medical entrance test in Indore.
The stay was issued by Justices Vivek Rusia and Binod Kumar Dwivedi of the Indore Bench after hearing arguments from all parties, including the National Testing Agency (NTA), which appealed the single bench’s decision. The single bench, led by Justice Subodh Abhyankar, had cited Article 14 of the Indian Constitution—guaranteeing equality and justice—as the basis for its June 23 order, stating that the affected students were placed at a disadvantage through no fault of their own.
Petitioners argued that several exam centres in Indore suffered power failures lasting up to two hours, forcing students to take the exam in poorly lit conditions and causing significant stress. They alleged mismanagement and inadequate power backup despite weather warnings. Over 60 petitions were filed from Indore and Ujjain regarding the issue, with claims that the disruption created an unequal playing field, as some students had access to natural light while others did not.
The NTA, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, countered that alternative power arrangements—such as candles, emergency lights, and inverters—were available and that power was restored promptly. The NTA also presented a statistical analysis indicating no significant deviation in performance between affected and unaffected centres. Mehta further noted that a candidate from one of the affected centres secured the second rank nationwide, arguing that the disruption did not impact overall results.
The Division Bench’s stay halts the retest until a final decision is made on the NTA’s appeal, with the next hearing scheduled for July 10. The case remains under judicial consideration, and the fate of the affected candidates will depend on the court’s final ruling.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information available as of July 3, 2025, from official court proceedings and media reports. The legal situation is subject to change pending further hearings and judicial decisions. Readers are advised to consult official sources or legal counsel for the most current information.
