The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced that the NEET PG 2025 examination will be conducted on June 15, 2025, in a computer-based format across two shifts. However, this decision has triggered significant backlash from medical aspirants, doctors, and healthcare activists. Many believe that holding the exam in multiple shifts introduces discrepancies and unfairness in the evaluation process, leading to concerns over normalization and scoring accuracy.
The controversy stems from previous instances where multi-shift exams led to major disputes over score normalization. Several aspirants argue that different shifts often vary in difficulty levels, and despite efforts to normalize scores, the process remains flawed and unreliable. The issue has reignited debate over the fairness of such a system, with students fearing that their rankings and future medical careers could be at risk due to inconsistencies in the grading process. Many medical professionals have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction, calling for immediate intervention by the authorities.
A doctor voiced his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), questioning the rationale behind conducting NEET PG 2025 in two shifts despite the uproar caused by normalization issues in 2024. He argued that this decision is bound to create more legal challenges and unnecessary stress for candidates. Another user emphasized that exams like NEET PG play a crucial role in shaping the careers of thousands of doctors, and therefore, the evaluation system must be as transparent and standardized as possible. Many have demanded that the authorities conduct the exam in a single shift to ensure uniformity and equal opportunity for all candidates.
The United Doctors Front (UDF), a prominent medical advocacy group, has formally written to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, urging reconsideration of the two-shift format. In their letter, they highlighted how multiple shifts had previously led to discrepancies in scoring and caused immense anxiety among candidates. They pointed out that internationally recognized medical entrance exams, such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test, follow a uniform examination system, ensuring fairness for all candidates. UDF has reiterated its demand for a “One Nation, One Exam” policy for NEET PG, calling for the exam to be conducted in a single shift nationwide.
The issue has gained momentum, with various medical associations and student bodies joining the protest against the two-shift format. Many aspirants have shared their concerns about how the stress of an unpredictable normalization process could affect their performance. Legal experts have also weighed in, predicting that if NBEMS does not address these concerns, the issue could escalate into court battles similar to those seen in the past. The demand for fairness in medical entrance exams has been a long-standing issue, and the latest development has only intensified the debate.
Despite the growing backlash, NBEMS has yet to release an official statement addressing the concerns raised by aspirants and medical professionals.
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