Kodikunnil Suresh, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Mavelikkara constituency in Kerala, has raised urgent concerns regarding the upcoming National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2025. In a letter directed to Utpal Kumar Singh, the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, he has formally requested an urgent discussion to address issues surrounding the exam’s structure, fairness, and transparency.
The NEET-PG exam is scheduled to take place on June 15, 2025, and will be conducted in a two-shift format. This decision has sparked considerable apprehension among medical aspirants, especially regarding how the two shifts might affect the normalisation of scores. Suresh highlighted that there is a lack of a predefined normalisation formula which could place students in a position of potential disadvantage depending on the difficulty of questions they face during their shift.
The absence of disclosed answer keys has also raised eyebrows. Unlike the undergraduate NEET (NEET-UG), the postgraduate exam does not mandate the publication of answer keys, preventing candidates from verifying their responses. This veil of uncertainty has intensified suspicions regarding the evaluation process and final rankings.
Many students are particularly confused about the criteria for Service PG scores, which include bonus marks and eligibility requirements that are not clearly defined. This ambiguity is causing anxiety for applicants who rely on these scores for admission to postgraduate programs.
As the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) confirmed the decision to hold NEET-PG 2025 in two shifts, discontent has been growing among students. They argue vigorously that varying levels of exam difficulty cannot be adequately accounted for by the proposed normalization process.
The All Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) Association expressed their gratitude to Suresh for bringing these pressing issues to parliament. The association insisted that fairness and transparency in high-stakes exams like NEET-PG are essential, advocating for a seamless examination process rather than the complications introduced by a two-shift structure. They declared, ”Conducting NEET PG in two shifts raises serious concerns about fairness and transparency. Normalization of scores can never fully account for varying difficulty levels, leaving aspirants at a disadvantage. A single-shift exam ensures equal opportunity for all.”
The scenario is further compounded by lingering uncertainties from NEET PG 2024, which has seen various postponements and rescheduling, resulting in heightened anxiety among medical graduates. Issues during last year’s exam led many to question not only the administrative capabilities but also forecasting reliability for the forthcoming examination schedules.
The call for swift government engagement has become increasingly crucial. Suresh argued that if these concerns are not addressed decisively, they could undermine the integrity of medical admissions and jeopardise the futures of thousands of medical graduates.
Yet, as the exam date looms closer, students remain vigilant, eagerly anticipating the official notification and information brochure from the NBEMS, which will outline critical elements for examination readiness. This brochure is expected to include important dates, examination fees, eligibility criteria, and crucial guidelines for the application process.
Students aiming to sit for NEET-PG 2025 need to possess an MBBS degree or a pass certificate recognised by the Indian Medical Council Act, alongside having completed a mandatory one-year internship before the deadline. They must gather various documents like recent passport-sized photographs, signature images, and other proofs to ensure a smooth application process.
The lingering questions about fairness, transparency, and effective communication loom large over NEET-PG 2025 as applicants prepare for what is poised to be a defining moment in their medical careers. As calls from students and representatives like Suresh gain momentum, the NBEMS will need to address these concerns before the exam date arrives.
With growing demands for clarity and transparency surrounding this crucial examination process, many are watching and waiting to see how the government and relevant authorities respond to these pressing needs.
