NEET PG 2025: Shashi Tharoor Urges Health Minister to Expand Exam Centres in Kerala Amidst Student Distress

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has written to the Union Health Minister, J.P. Nadda, requesting an urgent increase in NEET PG exam centres in Kerala. Medical aspirants from the state are facing significant distress and logistical challenges as available slots in Kerala were exhausted within minutes of the application portal reopening. This plea highlights the need for equitable access to exam centres for the crucial postgraduate medical entrance test and addresses the financial and mental burden on students aspiring for Medical Education.

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025, a critical gateway for aspiring medical professionals to pursue postgraduate Medical Education in India, is once again in the spotlight over logistical concerns. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has urgently appealed to the Union Health Minister, Shri J.P. Nadda, to address the severe shortage of NEET PG exam centres in Kerala. The plea comes amidst widespread complaints from medical aspirants in the state who found themselves unable to secure examination slots within Kerala, forcing them to consider distant centres in other states.

This recurring issue poses significant challenges for thousands of students who have dedicated years to prepare for this high-stakes examination. Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, highlighted that despite the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) having data on the number of NEET PG applicants from Kerala, the available centre slots in the state were inexplicably exhausted within minutes of the application window reopening. This situation, he argued, is causing immense distress, inconvenience, and an undue financial burden on candidates, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds or rural areas. The call for more Exam Centres is a critical step towards ensuring fair and equitable access to Medical Education opportunities.

The Current Crisis of NEET PG Exam Centres in Kerala

The issue of insufficient NEET PG exam centres in Kerala is not new. Aspirants from the state have frequently faced difficulties in securing convenient test locations, a problem that seems to have worsened for the upcoming NEET PG 2025 examination.

• Rapid Exhaustion of Slots: According to MP Tharoor's communication, when the application portal for NEET PG 2025 reopened for candidates to select their exam cities (following the Supreme Court's directive to hold the exam in a single shift on August 3, 2025), all available slots in Kerala were filled almost instantly. This left a vast majority of local aspirants without an option to take the exam within their home state.
• Forced Inter-state Travel: As a direct consequence, many students are now compelled to choose Exam Centres in neighbouring or far-flung states, often thousands of kilometres away. This necessitates expensive and arduous travel arrangements, including booking flights or long train journeys, securing accommodation, and managing food and other logistics at short notice.
• Financial and Mental Burden: The unexpected travel and accommodation costs place a substantial financial strain on families. Beyond monetary concerns, the logistical complexities add significant mental stress and anxiety to students already under immense pressure from preparing for a competitive exam like NEET PG. This disruption can negatively impact their performance on exam day.
• Past Precedents: This isn't an isolated incident. Reports from previous years, including NEET PG 2024, indicate similar complaints where Kerala aspirants were allotted Exam Centres in states like Andhra Pradesh, far from their residences, highlighting a persistent systemic issue in Exam Centres allocation.

The situation underscores a critical need for the examination authorities to revisit their planning and allocation strategies for NEET PG exam centres, especially for states with a high number of applicants.

Shashi Tharoor's Appeal to the Health Minister

MP Shashi Tharoor's letter to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation, urging immediate intervention to alleviate the plight of NEET PG aspirants from Kerala.

• Highlighting NBEMS's Responsibility: Tharoor explicitly pointed out that the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), the conducting body for NEET PG, possesses comprehensive data on the number of applicants from each state. Therefore, restricting the number of Exam Centres in Kerala despite knowing the applicant volume is deemed "unfair" and a significant logistical oversight.
• Call for Additional Centres: The core demand is for the Health Ministry to immediately authorize and facilitate the establishment of additional NEET PG exam centres within Kerala, particularly focusing on increasing capacity in all major districts to ensure accessibility for students across the state.
• Emphasis on Student Welfare: Tharoor's appeal resonates with the broader sentiment among the student community and their families, emphasizing that no aspirant should be put through such undue distress, inconvenience, and financial burden simply to appear for a national-level examination.
• Ensuring Equitable Access: The MP's intervention is not just about Kerala but advocates for a more equitable distribution of Exam Centres nationwide, ensuring that students from all regions have fair access to examination facilities without facing avoidable logistical hurdles. This aligns with the national goal of promoting inclusive Medical Education.

The appeal to the highest echelons of the Health Ministry indicates the severity of the issue and the need for a prompt, effective resolution from the authorities responsible for NEET PG.

Future Outlook and the Path to Equitable Medical Education

The call for more NEET PG exam centres in Kerala is part of a larger conversation about improving the accessibility and fairness of national entrance examinations like NEET PG.

• NBE's Role and Responsibilities: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is tasked with conducting the NEET PG examination efficiently and fairly. This includes robust planning for Exam Centres allocation based on applicant data and geographical distribution. The current situation suggests a need for more proactive and student-centric planning by the NBEMS.
• Ministry's Intervention: The Union Health Ministry's intervention is crucial. It can direct the NBEMS to immediately assess the demand-supply gap for NEET PG exam centres in Kerala and other similarly affected regions and take swift action to increase capacity. This could involve identifying new test venues, extending shifts, or coordinating with state governments to utilize their infrastructure.
• Broader Policy Implications: Beyond immediate relief, this issue might necessitate a review of existing policies for Exam Centres allocation to prevent similar crises in the future. A transparent and predictable system for setting up adequate NEET PG exam centres is vital for reducing student anxiety and ensuring a smoother examination process.
• Student Advocacy and Awareness: The collective voice of students, supported by political representatives like Shashi Tharoor, plays a significant role in bringing such issues to national attention. Aspirants should continue to utilize official channels and platforms to highlight their concerns. For comprehensive information and updates regarding Medical Education entrance exams like NEET PG, candidates can always refer to trusted resources such as Only Education.

The coming days will show whether the Union Health Ministry responds to this urgent plea and takes decisive action to ease the burden on thousands of aspiring doctors from Kerala and ensure a level playing field for all NEET PG candidates.