The Madras High Court has temporarily halted the announcement of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2025 results in response to a plea filed by students regarding power outages at an exam center in Chennai.
Thirteen students petitioned the court, citing significant disturbances caused by a power failure at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Avadi. They asserted that no additional time was provided by invigilators for exam completion.
One student highlighted the absence of backup resources, such as generators, at the center. The power outage forced candidates to take the exam under inadequate lighting conditions.
Furthermore, heavy rain exacerbated the situation by allowing water to seep into the examination hall, leading to further disruptions and necessitating seat changes for the students.
The petition stated, “The power outage caused mental distress, heat exhaustion and created significantly unequal exam conditions compared to other centers.” The students argued that they were not granted extra time despite the circumstances, putting them at a disadvantage relative to candidates nationwide.
The NEET-UG exam was conducted on May 4 from 3 PM to 4:15 PM, with results anticipated by June 14. The Madras High Court is scheduled to hear the case again on June 2.
The petitioners contended that the unequal examination conditions violated Article 14 of the Constitution, as well as infringing on rights under Article 21, which protects life and liberty.
SIMILAR RULING IN MADHYA PRADESH
Previously, the Madhya Pradesh High Court also paused the NEET-UG 2025 result declaration after a student raised concerns about her performance being adversely affected by a power outage at an Indore exam center.
The examination for undergraduate medical course admissions took place on May 4, coinciding with power outages in several parts of Indore due to adverse weather conditions.
The court has issued notices to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Central Government, and the Madhya Pradesh West Zone Electricity Distribution Company, seeking responses within four weeks. The next hearing for this petition is scheduled for June 30.
