New Delhi: In a move that has sparked fresh outrage among medical aspirants across the country, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025 has been postponed once again. The announcement, made late last night by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), cites “administrative reasons” as the cause of the delay — the third such postponement in the past six months.
The exam, originally scheduled for March 2025, had already been deferred to July 20, and was expected to proceed without further changes. However, the latest update has pushed the exam indefinitely, with no fresh date announced yet.
A Cycle of Delays and Uncertainty
The constant rescheduling has taken a mental and emotional toll on thousands of medical graduates preparing for the highly competitive exam. Many had made significant personal sacrifices, taking long leaves, relocating, or suspending clinical practice to focus entirely on preparation.
“I left my hospital job in May thinking I had just two months to revise. Now I’m stuck — no job, no exam date, and no clarity on when to resume,” said Aastha Sharma, a 25-year-old MBBS graduate from Bhopal. “This isn’t just about an exam. It’s about our future, our careers, our lives.”
Aspirants across social media platforms have voiced their anger and despair, with hashtags like #JusticeForMedicos, #NEETPG2025, and #StopPlayingWithDoctors trending on X (formerly Twitter) since the announcement broke.
Official Reason vs Ground Reality
In its official communication, NBEMS cited “unavoidable administrative constraints” as the primary reason for the delay. However, the lack of specific details has led to widespread speculation.
Several insiders in the medical education sector suggest that the delay may be linked to ongoing discussions around merging NEET PG with the National Exit Test (NExT) — a proposal under review since 2022.
“The uncertainty around whether NEET PG will be phased out and replaced by NExT is a core issue,” said a senior medical faculty member at a Delhi-based government college on condition of anonymity. “The policy indecision is trickling down and affecting lakhs of students who are caught in limbo.”
Students Demand Accountability
In response to the announcement, multiple student groups and medical associations have submitted appeals to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare demanding:
- A fixed and final exam date
- A public explanation from NBEMS regarding the delay
- Mental health support mechanisms for students under stress
- Clear guidelines on the future of NEET PG and NExT
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has called for a meeting with health officials later this week. “You can’t keep future doctors in the dark. We demand transparency, stability, and empathy,” said FAIMA president Dr. Karan Patel.
Political Reactions
The issue has caught the attention of several political leaders, with the opposition seizing the opportunity to question the government’s handling of education and youth-related concerns.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted:
“Lakhs of doctors wait in uncertainty as NEET PG is postponed once again. Is this the ‘Digital India’ and ‘Skill Development’ we were promised?”
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has remained tight-lipped, issuing no further clarification apart from the NBEMS circular.
Experts Urge Systemic Reforms
Education experts and senior doctors have warned that repeated disruptions in national-level exams reflect deeper systemic issues.
Dr. Leela Menon, an education consultant and former dean at AIIMS Bhopal, commented:
“This is not just mismanagement. It is a systemic failure. Exams like NEET PG are career-defining. We need mechanisms that are not just efficient, but also accountable.”
She emphasized the need for a centralized examination calendar for all national entrance tests to avoid overlaps, administrative errors, or policy confusion.
Aspirants Speak: A Growing Mental Health Crisis
Several students Times Release spoke to described symptoms of burnout, insomnia, and depression due to the prolonged preparation cycle and uncertainty.
“I feel like I’ve been in a mental loop since January,” said Ravi Tomar, an aspirant from Lucknow. “I can’t plan my future. I’ve stopped socializing. Even my parents are worried.”
Student helpline services like iCall and Snehi have reported an increase in calls from medical students over the past month, many citing academic pressure and emotional breakdowns due to NEET PG stress.
Psychologists recommend regular breaks, social support, and therapy to manage the pressure but say institutional support must also improve.
Looking Ahead: What Can Students Do?
With no new date announced, aspirants now face a difficult balancing act — continuing preparation without burning out.
Experts recommend:
- Following NBEMS official channels daily
- Continuing with a light revision schedule
- Joining peer support groups or study circles
- Using the downtime to also explore clinical internships or telehealth volunteering (if possible)
However, many argue that real relief will only come when the exam date is confirmed and the pattern is standardized.
Conclusion
As India continues to emphasize health infrastructure and medical education, the handling of entrance exams like NEET PG remains a crucial test—not just for students but for policymakers. For now, thousands of young doctors remain in an agonizing state of uncertainty, demanding not just a date, but dignity and direction.