For thousands of medical students across India, examinations are no longer milestones; they have become moving targets. Repeated postponements, conflicting official statements, and abrupt policy changes have transformed what should be a structured academic journey into a prolonged period of uncertainty.
This is not a story of one failed exam. It is a systemic pattern that reflects deeper administrative and governance issues within India’s medical education framework.
These delays are not trivial inconveniences. They disrupt timelines that medical graduates carefully build over years, often at the expense of their mental health, financial stability, and even the functioning of hospitals that depend on postgraduate trainees.2
In any large system, unforeseen disruptions are possible. However, what medical students in India experience goes far beyond occasional logistical challenges.
The NEET-PG exam, originally scheduled each year in a defined cycle, has seen increasing variability. Even after the examination itself is conducted, delays persist. Results for NEET-PG 2025 were released in August, but counselling was pushed back for months due to unresolved seat matrix approvals and ongoing legal challenges.7
In some years, the gap between results and counselling has expanded dramatically. Data from recent cycles show that this lag has ranged from approximately 28 days to as much as 135 days, far beyond what students reasonably expect in a predictable academic calendar.
Medical training is inherently demanding, and medical students and residents consistently report higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than the general population. Global evidence suggests that nearly one in three medical students experiences significant anxiety, reflecting the psychological strain built into the profession.1
In the case of NEET-PG, repeated postponements, unclear communication, and prolonged waiting intensify this stress.6 After investing years in MBBS and additional time in PG preparation, many aspirants find themselves stuck in limbo, forced to delay careers, financial independence, and personal milestones. Over time, this uncertainty turns preparation into exhaustion, leaving students feeling suspended between effort and outcome.
The financial impact of these delays is palpable. Many aspirants sacrifice job opportunities, relocate for coaching or exam centers, and continue to pay living expenses without the promise of postgraduate training or employment.
Delays in counselling mean that eligible candidates remain unemployed, further exacerbating financial stress on families already burdened by years of educational costs.5
Even resident doctors caught in the transition suffer: when incoming batches are stalled, existing residents are compelled to shoulder larger clinical workloads without corresponding support, increasing burnout and potentially compromising patient care.
The delays ripple beyond individual students. India’s healthcare system depends on a steady pipeline of postgraduate trainees, who staff key units, support surgical rotations, and manage emergency and outpatient services.
Gaps in admissions create staffing vacuums that strain existing teams and reduce institutional capacity, especially in government hospitals.
Professional associations like the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have urged prompt action to resume counselling and restore the academic calendar, noting that prolonged delays “cause immense distress to thousands of NEET-PG aspirants” and disrupt medical education nationwide.4
Similar concerns are being discussed on MedBound Hub, where medical students and early-career doctors are sharing their experiences with delays, changing schedules, and inconsistent communication from medical examination authorities in India.
Our education system is failing us, our expectations and killing the dreams of the young generation. It’s high time that the appropriate steps are taken by the authorities, considering the mental health and future of students.Dr. Ishita Asiwal, MBBS graduate
I have been a victim of such a situation. When I did my NEET attempt, it was postponed almost more than three times, and the mental toll that it took on me and my support system was enormous. Each preparation session post the postponement hit hard and was extremely difficult to completely focus or concentrate on the subject or the preparation.Dr. Rithikaa, MBBS graduate
Delays in medical examination or any examination don’t just affect career but they affect mental health, physical health and overall motivation. A predictable academic system is very essential to protect both students and the future healthcare system.Dr. Shiwangi, MBBS graduate
The ongoing NEET-PG cycle of postponements and administrative confusion points to deeper governance issues. Predictable timelines and transparent communication are essential to support aspirants, not as an afterthought, but as core principles of an equitable education system.
If the underlying causes of these delays are not fixed, authorities risk worsening stress, anxiety, and burnout among medical graduates.3 Producing skilled doctors is not enough; the system must also offer stability so young professionals can move forward without living in constant uncertainty.
Medical students dedicate years of relentless effort to serving society. It is time the system showed the same commitment by protecting their careers, mental well-being, and future with accountability and care.
References
1. Quek TT, Tam WW, Tran BX, Zhang M, Zhang Z, Ho CS, Ho RC. The Global Prevalence of Anxiety Among Medical Students: A Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 31;16(15):2735. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16152735. PMID: 31370266; PMCID: PMC6696211.
2. Chen F, Chen J, Chen B, Mofatteh M, Wen C, Wellington J, Gong D, Yang H, Zeng Z, Miao X, Wu S, Chen Y. Mental health status of medical students during postgraduate entrance examination. BMC Psychiatry. 2022 Dec 27;22(1):829. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-04482-1. PMID: 36575395; PMCID: PMC9793374.
3. Chandankhede MS, Tiwade YR. Stress among Medical Students and Its Association with Mental Health Support to Reduce Stigma: A Critical Review of Programmes and Practices. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2025 Oct 1;32(4):429-432. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_29_25. Epub 2025 Oct 27. PMID: 41143380.