New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to conduct the NEET-PG 2025 exam on August 3, in a single shift, in line with its earlier direction to ensure uniformity in the exam process.

A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Augustine George Masih accepted the NBE's plea to postpone the exam, which was originally scheduled for June 15, citing logistical challenges. The NBE argued that holding a single-shift exam for over 2.4 lakh candidates requires extensive arrangements, including securing over 1,000 technology-compliant centres nationwide.

While the court initially questioned the over two-month delay, it noted that the request appeared to be bona fide, but warned no further extension would be granted.

Referring to its May 30 order, the bench noted that examination centres had already been identified for the earlier date and only availability and security arrangements needed to be confirmed. “The order came on May 30. What has been done since then?” the court asked, expressing concern about the delay’s impact on students.

Appearing for the NBE, Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj said the postponement was necessary to avoid any glitches in a nationwide exam of this scale and to ensure fairness and security.

The NBE informed the court that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), its technology partner, had identified August 3 as the earliest available date for conducting the exam in one shift. The shift will run from 9 am to 12.30 pm.

The top court had earlier held that conducting NEET-PG in two shifts, as originally planned, would result in "arbitrariness" and undermine fairness in the selection process. It directed the NBE to conduct the exam in a single shift and ensure secure and transparent arrangements.

NEET-PG is a crucial qualifying exam for postgraduate medical courses in India and is conducted by the NBE, which also oversees other high-stakes exams, including those for Indian Railways, banking, and regional bodies.