The Supreme Court on Friday directed the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences to conduct the NEET-PG 2025 in one shift instead of two sessions on the same day, rejecting the authority’s plea of lack of resources and centres to take up the task in which 2.5 lakh doctors will be appearing.

A three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Kumar and N.V. Anaria passed the direction while dealing with a petition filed by doctors challenging the board’s decision to hold the NEET-PG 2025 in two shifts, which according to them would give rise to arbitrariness because it does not extend a level-playing field to all candidates as two question papers can never be of the same standard and level of difficulty.

The board defended its decision, saying the number of candidates who would appear for the test is too large, making it difficult to identify a sufficient number of secure centres to conduct the test in one shift.

Rejecting the plea, the court observed: “This contention also deserves to be rejected as there is still enough time for the examining body to identify a sufficient number of secure centres to hold the examination in one shift.... Two weeks is there.”

The examination is scheduled to be held on June 15.