Delhi High Court Declines Petition to Conduct NEET-UG Biannually

Delhi High Court dismisses plea to conduct NEET-UG twice a year, stating it's a policy decision for authorities.

On February 12, 2025, the Delhi High Court addressed a petition seeking to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) twice annually, similar to the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for engineering courses. The court declined to entertain the plea, emphasizing that such decisions fall within the government's policy domain.

Court's Ruling

Policy Decision: The bench, comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, stated, "It is for the authorities to consider the prayer. That's a policy decision by the government."

Petitioner's Option: The court disposed of the petition, granting the petitioner, a coaching center teacher, the liberty to approach the relevant authorities with a representation. The court directed that any such application be considered and decided appropriately under the law.

Petitioner's Argument

• Multiple Attempts: The petitioner argued that, unlike the JEE (Mains) examination, which offers multiple attempts to students, NEET-UG currently provides only a single opportunity. The petitioner suggested that offering multiple attempts could alleviate psychological pressure and motivate students to improve their grades.

Court's Observations

Administrative Domain: The bench observed that decisions regarding the frequency of examinations are within the administrative domain and beyond the court's intervention.

Comparison with Other Exams: The court noted that several other competitive examinations do not offer multiple chances, indicating that the current NEET-UG structure aligns with common practices.

Conclusion

The Delhi High Court's decision underscores the separation of powers, affirming that policy decisions regarding the frequency of NEET-UG examinations rest with the government. While the court acknowledged the petitioner's concerns, it emphasized that such matters are within the purview of the authorities to consider and decide upon.