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May 17, 2025
A growing chorus of NEET PG 2025 aspirants is voicing strong opposition to the National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences’ (NBEMS) two-shift exam format, arguing it undermines fairness and transparency in one of India’s most competitive medical entrance tests.
Petition Filed in Supreme Court
On April 29, 2025, Dr Aditi-a third-time NEET PG aspirant-filed a writ petition (Dr Aditi v National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences) in the Supreme Court, joined by several other petitioners. Their core demand: a return to a single-shift examination, the release of answer keys, and greater transparency to ensure equity for all candidates.
“Our voices must be heard. This isn’t just about me… it’s about the entire medical community seeking fairness from the system to serve society better,” Dr Aditi stated.
Concerns Over Two-Shift Format
The controversy centers on the two-shift exam format introduced in 2024. Aspirants like Dr Aditi and Dr Kumar (name changed for privacy) claim the system introduces inconsistencies in question difficulty and normalization of scores, creating what they describe as a “game of chance” rather than a true measure of merit.
Dr Aditi, who was allotted the afternoon shift in 2024, described how her rank dropped from 20,000–25,000 in 2023 (single shift) to 40,000 in 2024, despite more focused preparation. She attributes this to the different types of questions-her shift featured more challenging MRI-based questions, while the morning shift had CT image-based questions, which are generally considered easier for MBBS graduates.
Dr Kumar, who sat in the morning shift, echoed these concerns, noting, “The afternoon shift was definitely tougher. The normalization process didn’t satisfy candidates from either shift, creating massive confusion.”
Normalization and Transparency Issues
A major grievance is the lack of transparency in the normalization process. Petitioners argue that the NBEMS has not provided clear information on how scores are adjusted between shifts, nor have they released answer keys or question papers. This, they say, leaves candidates “helpless and anxious,” with no way to verify their performance or understand their results.
Dr Aditi and her fellow petitioners point to precedents where normalization was abandoned in other national exams, such as the Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduates (CUET-UG), when conducted in a single shift.
Emotional Toll and Mobilization
Beyond academic concerns, aspirants describe the emotional and professional toll of the current system. “NEET-PG exam is held only once a year. If there is injustice, someone may have to wait another year or compromise on their branch of choice for their whole life,” Dr Kumar explained.
To galvanize support, Dr Aditi and her advocate, Abhishit Hela, have circulated a petition, gathering thousands of signatures from discontented candidates. “There are more than two lakh students. We are all doctors here. We deserve that attention and time. We deserve to be heard… It is our future at stake, and the future of medical education in the country as well,” Dr Aditi emphasized.
Looking Ahead
The petitioners hope the Supreme Court will intervene to restore a single-shift exam and mandate greater transparency, arguing that the integrity of India’s medical education system is at stake.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by EdexLive as of May 16, 2025, and includes direct quotes and paraphrased statements from NEET PG aspirants and petitioners. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences has not yet issued a formal response to the petition. Readers are advised to follow official updates for the latest developments.
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