NEET PG 2025 Held in One Shift; Strict Entry and Dress Code Rules Enforced

NEET PG 2025 was successfully held today with strict entry rules and dress code enforcement. This article details initial student reactions, exam analysis, and the expected timeline for results and counselling.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025 was successfully conducted on Sunday, August 3, marking a crucial step for thousands of medical graduates seeking to pursue MD, MS, or PG Diploma courses. The exam, which was held in a single shift as per the directives of the Supreme Court, saw a record turnout of over 2.42 lakh candidates across 301 cities and 1,052 test centers nationwide. The smooth conduct of the examination was attributed to a strict implementation of entry regulations, a mandatory dress code, and rigorous security protocols.

The NEET PG 2025 exam, managed by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), commenced at 9:00 AM and concluded at 12:30 PM. The decision to hold the exam in a single shift, a significant departure from previous years, was made to ensure fairness and prevent any discrepancies in question paper difficulty across multiple sessions. This change, while requiring a massive logistical effort from the NBEMS to double the number of test centers, was widely welcomed by the medical community for promoting a level playing field for all aspirants.

Rigorous Entry and Dress Code Protocols

To ensure the integrity of the examination, the NBEMS enforced an exceptionally strict set of rules and guidelines for entry and conduct inside the exam hall. Candidates were required to adhere to a specific dress code and were subjected to thorough security checks, which included biometric verification and frisking.

• Dress Code: The rules stipulated that candidates wear simple, half-sleeved clothing. Clothes with large buttons, heavy embroidery, brooches, or any form of embellishment were strictly prohibited. Aspirants were advised to avoid wearing shoes and to opt for sandals or slippers with low heels. All forms of jewelry and metallic items, including earrings, nose pins, necklaces, bracelets, and rings, were strictly banned.
• Prohibited Items: A long list of items was not allowed inside the exam hall, including any stationery (pens, pencils, paper), electronic devices (mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, calculators), and even personal belongings like wallets, belts, and goggles. The NBEMS made it clear that no arrangements would be made to store these items at the test centers. Only a valid admit card, a government-issued photo ID, and a photocopy of the permanent/provisional registration certificate were permitted.

This rigorous enforcement of rules was a direct measure to prevent cheating and the use of unfair means, ensuring a secure and transparent testing environment for all.

Initial Reactions and Exam Analysis

Initial reactions from students who appeared for the exam suggested a mixed but generally moderate to easy difficulty level compared to previous years. According to a preliminary analysis from major coaching centers, the paper had a balanced mix of pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects. The clinical section, however, was noted for its higher proportion of case-based and image-based questions, requiring a strong understanding of practical applications rather than just rote memorization.

• Difficulty Level: While many candidates found the paper manageable, some noted that the lengthy clinical scenarios made time management a challenge. This led to a consensus that while a significant portion of the paper was composed of previous year's questions or questions from repeated topics, they were often presented with a twist, demanding a deeper conceptual understanding.
• Subject-wise Distribution: Subjects like Pharmacology, Gynaecology, and Ophthalmology were given more importance. A considerable number of questions were integrated, linking different subjects to a single clinical scenario, which is a new trend aligned with the modern approach to medical education.

With the exam now concluded, the focus shifts to the next stages of the admission process. The NBEMS has announced that the results for NEET PG 2025 are expected to be declared on or before September 3, 2025. Following the results, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will begin the online counselling process for the allocation of seats under the All India Quota, as well as for Deemed and Central Universities. Candidates are advised to be cautious of fraudulent counselling offers and to rely solely on the official websites of the NBEMS and the MCC for all future updates.