SC Likely to Deliver Final Order on NEET PG 2024: The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce its final order on the NEET PG 2024 counselling-related petitions today, January 8, 2025. Initially scheduled for January 7, the case was deferred after the bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih stated that the matter could not be heard as other proceedings were ongoing. The petitioners were asked to bring up the case the following day.
According to LiveLaw, addressing the petitioner’s counsel, Justice Gavai stated, “Just ask someone to mention the matter tomorrow. If counselling is over, we will dispose of the matter. It’s not like we will order fresh counselling.”
Petitioner’s demand transparency and consistency in NEET PG 2024 exam
The petition calls for transparency in the NEET PG 2024 exam, including the release of answer keys and question papers. It also challenges the last-minute change in the exam format, claiming it goes against the National Board of Examinations (NBE) guidelines.
Timeline of events leading to the current hearing in the Supreme Court
The controversy surrounding NEET PG 2024 has been unfolding since the exam was conducted in August 2024. Allegations of irregularities, coupled with demands for greater transparency, have kept the issue in legal and administrative limbo.
In September 2024, a group of 19 candidates filed a petition with the Supreme Court, seeking the disclosure of raw scores and challenging the use of the normalisation method to calculate results. This followed complaints of a lack of clarity in the scoring process and the first-ever use of a two-shift exam format. On September 11, a bench led by then-Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud sought a response from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) regarding these concerns.
Later that month, on September 20, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the unusual timing of the changes to the exam format, made just three days before the test. The court noted that the shift to a two-session examination was unprecedented and raised questions about its fairness. However, no resolution was reached as subsequent hearings faced repeated postponements.
Delays and Impacts on Counselling
On September 30, the case was deferred to October 4 due to the absence of representatives from the Centre. Further delays pushed the hearing to October 25, then November 19, and finally November 26, as logistical and scheduling conflicts arose within the judiciary. Meanwhile, the NEET PG 2024 counselling process, which had already reached its third phase, was stalled in several states. Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan were among those most affected by the delays, which left candidates uncertain.
The prolonged legal battle and lack of resolution also amplified calls for a more transparent and accountable examination process. Petitioners pointed to a series of administrative lapses, including exam postponements, allegations of question paper leaks, and the NBEMS’s refusal to publish answer keys or raw scores. The issue of normalisation, a process used to equate scores across multiple sessions, further complicated the matter, with candidates alleging that it lacked transparency and fairness.
Today’s likely outcome
On Monday, January 7, the Supreme Court bench stated that no fresh NEET PG 2024 counselling sessions would be ordered, indicating that the petitioners’ demands may not lead to significant changes in the ongoing process. The court’s final order, if issued today, will determine the immediate future of the counselling sessions and whether any reforms or compensatory measures will be implemented to address the concerns raised by the candidates.
