Concerns are mounting within the medical community about the potential postponement of the NEET PG 2025 examination as the counselling process for the NEET PG 2024 continues to drag on. Following the announcement from the National Board of Examinations (NBE) about reducing the qualifying percentile for postgraduate medical admissions, many doctors are questioning whether the upcoming exam will go forward on its scheduled date of June 16, 2025.
The NBE has made significant adjustments to the admission criteria for the 2024-2025 academic year, reducing the qualifying percentile to the fifth percentile across all categories. This action has led various states to announce dates for the stray vacancy round; unfortunately, this has resulted in the counselling process for NEET PG 2024 still being incomplete.
Health activist Dr. Dhruv Chauhan, who serves as the National Council member of the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA-JDN), raised alarms over these developments, stating, "NEET PG 2025 dates might shift soon if they continue to extend the counselling for stray rounds by reducing the percentile." Dr. Chauhan, speaking to Medical Dialogues, elaborated, “The counselling process is still underway, and there may be another special stray round due to this recent change.”
The sentiments among the medical fraternity are echoed by numerous members who have expressed frustration at the frequent shifting of NEET exam dates and counselling dates over the years. One doctor lamented on social media, "Why has it become a trend to shift the dates of NEET exams and their counselling dates again and again since the past few years? It is so unprofessional and a huge inconvenience to lakhs of students." Such frustrations reflect not only personal inconveniences but also systemic issues with the exam management.
Indeed, past experiences have left many skeptical. Last year, the NEET PG 2024 exam was initially planned for July 7, 2024, only to be preponed to June 23. Before the scheduled exam, it was postponed just twelve hours prior due to security concerns related to possible impersonation attempts during the test. Although no specific reasons were provided, reports suggested the decision was made as a precautionary measure. Eventually, the exam was conducted on August 11, 2024, with the counselling process still not wrapped up even after six months.
Dr. Rohan Krishnan, the Chief Patron of FAIMA Doctors' Association, shared his outlook on the current scenario: “I think it might be postponed. Until now, there has been no official notification about the date of examination and filling of the form for NEET 2025.” He expressed disappointment at the prospect of yet another year where the academic calendar could be delayed. “Since the onset of COVID, we’ve noticed repeated delays and adjustments to the timing of the NEET PG exam,” he noted.
Despite the rising worries among candidates and medical professionals, Dr. Karan Juneja, the National Co-Convenor of IMA-JDN, suggested maintaining confidence amid speculation. He advised candidates, “Let's hope for the best. The government must stick to the timeline.” His words aimed to instill some assurance as uncertainty looms large over the future exam schedule.
The NBE’s adjustment of the qualifying percentile down to the fifth percentile indicates potential ramifications far beyond the immediate admissions of 2024. It adds to the growing narrative of instability surrounding NEET PG admissions, which have become increasingly complex due to overlapping schedules and significant changes year after year.
Considering such conditions, candidates have begun to vocalize their growing concern over the NEET PG management’s ability to conduct the exam effectively. This discontent has gained traction on social media, where many are calling for reforms and highlighting issues they deem 'poor management' of the examination framework. A user remarked on Twitter, “It’s 2025, and NBE still hasn’t adjusted the exam timeline since COVID. Show me one exam outside India with such stupid management.”
The ramifications of these updates stretch across the entire medical education framework, as candidates seek clarity and accountability from the NBE and the Ministry of Health. The historical patterns of last-minute changes raise red flags for many, especially those who have prepared intensively for this pivotal exam.
With uncertainty remaining the hallmark of admissions this year, doctors are urging both the NBE and the relevant government bodies to bring stability to the NEET PG process to alleviate the exhaustion and anxiety faced by countless medical aspirants. The challenges surrounding these examinations call for thoughtful consideration and strategy moving forward.
For the time being, medical candidates are left waiting for official communication from the NBE about NEET PG 2025, hoping for prompt news as the academic calendar hangs precariously on the brink of another tumultuous adjustment period.