Supreme Court Upholds NMC's Decision on NEET-SS Postponement

The Supreme Court dismissed a plea challenging the National Medical Commission's decision to postpone the NEET-Super Speciality exam to 2025. It emphasized that the delay is equitable and not arbitrary, allowing current postgraduate medical students a fair chance to compete.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea challenging the National Medical Commission (NMC)'s decision not to hold the NEET-Super Speciality (NEET-SS) examination this year, stating the postponement was 'fairly equitable' and not 'arbitrary'.

However, the Apex Court emphasized that the NMC must decide on the schedule for the NEET-SS, expected to be held early next year, within thirty days. A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud highlighted that approximately 40 percent of NEET-SS examinees are from current postgraduate medical courses, which began in 2022 due to COVID-19 and will conclude in January 2025.

NMC counsel stated that conducting the NEET-SS this year would deprive 2022-2025 postgraduate students of the opportunity, as they would not yet have completed their courses. The bench noted that the decision balances hardship and concluded that the NMC acted in an equitable manner.

(With inputs from agencies.)