The Supreme Court on Friday granted an extension of time to the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to conduct the NEET-PG 2025 examination, allowing it to be held on August 3, instead of the earlier scheduled date of June 15.

The order came in response to a joint request by the NBE and its technology partner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), seeking additional time to ensure the exam is conducted securely and efficiently.

A bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Augustine George Masih allowed the extension, citing technical constraints. “The request made by NBE says August 3 is the earliest possible date given by its technology partner, TCS,” the court observed.

However, the apex court made it clear that this would be the final extension, stating: “Accordingly, the time allowed by our earlier order to hold the NEET exam is extended. No further extension will be granted.”

On May 30, the Court directed the NBE to conduct the examination in a single shift instead of two and adhere to the originally scheduled date of June 15, 2025. However, the NBE later approached the Court, citing the need to double the number of test centres from 450 to 900 and make substantial logistical and security arrangements.

According to the NBE’s application, the available time between the May 30 order and the earlier exam date was insufficient to accommodate the shift to a single-session exam. TCS informed the Court that additional time was needed for hardware supply chain management, booking of over 1,000 test centres, and infrastructure to handle 2.70 lakh candidates nationwide, including buffer capacity.

The application further stated that the exam city selection window would need to be reopened, allowing candidates to opt afresh for their preferred locations and that redistribution of candidates and final allocation of test centres would take additional time.

The plea also noted that a significant volume of manpower would have to be recruited, trained, and tested through multiple dry runs and mock exams—an extensive undertaking that could not be completed in the previously allotted timeframe.

The Supreme Court’s decision ensures the exam will now be held on August 3 but with a firm warning against any further delays.