In a major development that has caught the attention of lakhs of NEET aspirants, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct a NEET UG 2025 Re-Exam for candidates who faced power outages at exam centres in Indore and Ujjain. The decision, issued by Justice Subodh Abhyankar of the Indore bench, offers relief to students who had petitioned the court before June 3, 2025, following widespread disruptions during the May 4 examination.
Why the NEET UG 2025 Re-Exam Was Ordered
The NEET UG 2025 exam, a crucial entrance test for MBBS and BDS courses in India, was held on May 4, 2025, across the country. However, in Indore and Ujjain, many candidates faced severe difficulties due to power failures at the examination centres. In Indore, at least 18 centres reported long power cuts—some lasting over an hour—while six centres in Ujjain experienced outages for around 40–45 minutes.
Candidates alleged that they were forced to complete the test under torchlight or in near darkness, which led to a significant loss of time and heightened mental stress. During the hearing, Justice Abhyankar even recreated a dim-light condition inside the courtroom to understand the impact of such disruptions, noting that most exam centres lacked sufficient natural light, unlike courtrooms.
The NTA defended its position by presenting data suggesting that students from the affected centres had attempted a similar number of questions as those in unaffected centres. It even pointed out that 11 students from Indore scored above 600 marks despite the circumstances. However, the court held that statistics alone could not reflect the unequal conditions and psychological trauma faced by many students.
Justice Abhyankar noted that while some students might have performed well despite the conditions, others may have been unfairly disadvantaged. He emphasized that candidates cannot be penalised for circumstances beyond their control, and every aspirant deserves an equal opportunity in a high-stakes examination like NEET.
Who is Eligible for the NEET 2025 Re-Test?
The re-examination will be limited to those students who filed petitions in court before June 3, 2025, seeking redressal for the issues faced during the exam. This ensures that only the genuinely affected candidates, who took timely legal steps, benefit from the court’s relief.
Implications of the NEET Re-Exam 2025
The decision brings up larger concerns about the infrastructure and fairness of national-level exams. The NEET UG exam is a gateway for over a million students aspiring to enter the medical field. Any disruption in its conduct not only affects individual candidates but also undermines trust in the examination system.
For the students eligible for the re-exam, this verdict is a second chance to prove their merit in a fair environment. The NTA will soon release official details regarding the NEET UG 2025 re-exam date, centre allocation, and admit card issuance for affected candidates from Indore and Ujjain.
This judgment is a reminder of the high standards required in administering national-level entrance tests. The NEET UG 2025 re-exam for affected students is not just about correcting one exam day—it is about reinforcing the principle that every candidate deserves an equal and fair opportunity. As we await further announcements from the NTA, all eyes will be on how the agency implements the court’s directive and upholds the integrity of NEET 2025.
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