In a significant development regarding the NEET-UG 2025 examination, the Madhya Pradesh High Court's Division Bench on July 1, 2025, stayed the order passed by a Single Judge that had directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct a re-test for candidates affected by a power failure in Indore and Ujjain.
The Division Bench, comprising Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Binod Kumar Dwivedi, issued this stay order while hearing a writ appeal filed by the NTA. The agency highlighted that several writ appeals—both in favor and against the June 23 judgment—are likely to be filed, and those should ideally be heard collectively to ensure consistent judicial consideration.
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"Until all such matters are placed before this Division Bench, it will not be possible for the NTA to proceed with the re-test ordered for only a few petitioners," submitted the NTA.
Taking this submission into account, the Bench decided to temporarily stay the Single Judge's order—dated June 23—regarding the re-examination for the affected candidates. The stay will remain effective until the next hearing scheduled for July 10, 2025.
However, the Division Bench did not interfere with another key direction issued by the Single Judge. The order which states that any NEET-UG counselling conducted on or after July 1, 2025, will be subject to the outcome of the pending petitions remains valid and enforceable.
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Background of the Case
Earlier, on June 30, Justice Subodh Abhyankar had allowed a batch of writ petitions filed by NEET-UG 2025 aspirants. These candidates alleged that a power outage at their examination centers in Indore and Ujjain had severely impacted their performance, putting them at a disadvantage compared to others.
“The petitioners were put into a disadvantageous position due to power outage, which condition did not prevail in other centers or even within the same center,” the Court had observed.
In a rare and symbolic move to assess the gravity of the issue, Justice Abhyankar switched off the courtroom lights during the hearing. The Judge pointed out that while the courtroom had large windows that allowed some dim natural light, such features may not exist in exam centers, thereby validating the hardship faced by students during the test.
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The Court, therefore, found a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, concluding that the candidates were discriminated against due to circumstances beyond their control. As a result, it directed the NTA to hold a re-examination specifically for the affected candidates.
The current stay by the Division Bench does not overrule the observations made by the Single Judge but aims to maintain procedural balance until all connected appeals are heard together. The next hearing is scheduled for July 10, and until then, the future of the re-test remains uncertain.
