NEET PG 2025 Aspirants Demand Accountability and Reforms
Concerns Over Administrative Failures
In New Delhi, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has raised alarms regarding the challenges faced by thousands of NEET PG 2025 aspirants. They cite “administrative failures, procedural opacity, and policy inconsistencies” related to the postgraduate medical entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). FORDA emphasizes that over 200,000 MBBS graduates annually seek specialized medical training through NEET PG, yet in 2025, many encountered a system that prioritizes convenience over fairness.
Issues with the Exam Format
NBEMS announced a two-shift examination format for the NEET PG exam in March 2025. FORDA criticized this decision, highlighting that differing question difficulty levels in each shift led to concerns over fairness. The association noted that the NBEMS’s “normalisation” formula, intended to level the playing field, lacked transparency. “Aspirants weren’t asking for favors. They were asking for fairness. They were asking for transparency. NBEMS refused both,” stated FORDA.
Supreme Court Intervention
Following challenges to the two-shift examination format, the Supreme Court ruled in May 2025 that this method was “arbitrary” and “unreliable” for crucial postgraduate medical admissions. The judicial bench articulated that the normalisation methodologies used across multiple shifts were fundamentally flawed, posing unacceptable risks to merit-based selection.
Consequences of the Exam Postponement
Despite this ruling, the exam was postponed from June 15 to August 3, 2025, to accommodate single-shift logistics across nearly 900 centers nationwide. This two-month delay exacerbated the psychological distress of aspirants who had already been waiting months for clarity on their futures. FORDA stated, “The irony was stark: justice came wrapped in further injustice.”
Continued Challenges for Aspirants
Even after the exam took place on August 3, students faced ongoing difficulties, as NBEMS failed to provide provisional answer keys. Some candidates were disqualified for malpractice, potentially unfairly, due to flawed keys that were never disclosed. Additionally, the allocation of distant exam centers imposed significant travel costs on candidates.
Financial and Emotional Burdens
FORDA highlighted the severe financial and emotional toll on candidates. For example, a top 10% candidate from Kerala assigned to a center in Bangalore faced additional expenses for travel, accommodation, and lost wages, compounded by three months of uncertainty waiting for results. The association pointed out that these burdens were particularly acute for women due to safety concerns and for economically disadvantaged candidates who struggled with high fees.
Confusion Surrounding Results
Results were released on August 19, leading to confusion when 22 candidates were disqualified without clear explanations. Families experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, celebrating initial results only to face heartbreak due to the lack of an appeal mechanism.
Delays in Counselling Process
The counselling process, ideally starting within weeks of the results, faced delays lasting over 110 days. This stagnation resulted in vacant medical seats, staff shortages in hospitals, and diagnostic delays for patients. “Society paid the price,” FORDA noted, as aspirants could not plan relocations, hospitals could not finalize rosters, and medical students could not begin their specializations.
Concern Over Cutoff Changes
The association also addressed the alarming announcement made by NBEMS on January 15, 2026, regarding the zero and negative cutoffs for Round 3. They expressed that these changes allowed aspirants who scored below the mean to be eligible for PG seats, equating it to “lottery” and compromising standards.
Impact on Healthcare System
FORDA stressed that the mismanagement of NEET PG 2025 not only harmed aspirants but also adversely affected patients seeking care. The association warned that sacrificing merit and procedural fairness damages the healthcare system and the aspirations of future medical professionals.
Call for Accountability and Reform
FORDA concluded that NEET PG 2025 would be remembered as a year when systemic failures betrayed the institution’s mandate. They demanded accountability and reform, asserting, “The medical community is watching. The courts are watching. The nation is watching.” Dr. Meet Ghonia, National General Secretary of FORDA, acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare but emphasized the need for merit, transparency, and predictability in the NEET PG process for the confidence of young doctors.
Related Developments
The association has also filed a plea in the Supreme Court regarding the reduced cutoffs for NEET PG 2025, seeking further action and clarity on the issues faced by aspirants.