NEET‑PG 2025 centre allocation chaos: IMA‑JDN flags distress as aspirants get far‑flung exam centres, seeks intervention

Junior Doctors Network have requested health ministry to reopen city‑change portal after thousand of them were assigned exam centre far from home

Aspiring doctors scheduled for NEET‑PG 2025 are confused after being allotted examination centres in distant states, despite choosing preferences in their home city. Indian Medical Association‑Junior Doctors’ Network (IMA‑JDN) has sent an urgent letter to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, demanding immediate action to solve the crisis.

With exam now just days away, many candidates, especially from states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka have been given centres hundreds of kilometres away. Reports indicate some have to travel more than 20 hours by train or road, causing logistical and financial challenge just before exam.

Doctors’ body has warned that situation is putting undue stress on women, economically weaker candidates, and those from remote or rural areas. It has also emphasised impact on mental well‑being and performance, because of competitive nature of this important exam.

IMA‑JDN has demanded that National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to reopen exam centre change portal, and allow affected students to choose alternative centres within their home or nearby states. It has argued that modern systems and algorithms should be able to honour centre preferences.

A spokesperson noted that while some aspirants received centres nearby, thousands were allocated to unknown cities with no direct connectivity, leaving them planning travel and accommodation. In Tamil Nadu, hundreds of candidates have been assigned centres in Andhra Pradesh, places like Narasaraopet and Rajahmundry, which are nearly 600 km from Chennai.

Candidates and doctors warn that it affect their exam performance. They have demanded:

Reopening of the centre‑choice window.

Allocation of centres in state or nearby districts.

A city-level seat matrix to ensure transparency.

Grievance helplines for immediate redressal.