In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India on July 25 dismissed two petitions filed by NEET-UG 2025 candidates who had sought a re-examination due to power outages at their exam centres in Madhya Pradesh.
The Court upheld the decision of the Madhya Pradesh High Court Division Bench, which had already refused the request for a re-test. The bench, comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice AS Chandurkar, stated that there was no need to interfere with the High Court's judgment since it had examined all relevant aspects of the matter, including the findings of an independent Expert Committee.
“The findings of the High Court are correct. It is not in our domain to pass orders for re-examination. That is the prerogative of the NTA,”– Justice PS Narasimha
Background of the Petitions
The petitions were filed by candidates affected during the NEET-UG 2025 examination in Indore and Ujjain, where a power outage reportedly disrupted the test. Initially, a single judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court had allowed the plea, ordering a re-test and stating that the counselling process would be subject to the outcome of the re-exam.
“Since the petitioners were put at a disadvantage for no fault of theirs, a re-test is necessary,”– Single Judge, Madhya Pradesh High Court
However, the decision was later set aside by a Division Bench, which relied on an Expert Committee report. The report stated that although there was a power outage, sufficient natural light was available, and candidates could continue the test without significant disadvantage. Moreover, it was observed that only 70 out of 27,264 students had filed the original writ petitions.
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The Supreme Court refused to grant any interim relief to the petitioners and declined to halt the ongoing counselling process. However, the bench made it clear that students who are eligible should not be denied the opportunity to register for counselling.
“Eligible candidates must be permitted to register and take part in the counselling process,”– Supreme Court Bench
Another petition concerning similar issues from a NEET-UG centre in Chennai was also dismissed.
Case Details: NAVYA NAYAK Vs NATIONAL TESTING AGENCY|SLP(C) No. 19807/2025 and S. SAI PRIYA AND ORS. v UNION OF INDIA AND ORS|SLP(C) No. 19661/2025