Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has raised a strong appeal to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, calling for the immediate expansion of NEET-PG 2025 exam centres in Kerala. Tharoor’s intervention comes amid widespread complaints from medical aspirants across Kerala, who found themselves unable to secure exam slots within the state when the booking portal reopened briefly.

According to Tharoor, all available test centre seats in Kerala were “exhausted within minutes”, leaving a majority of aspirants with no option but to choose centres outside the state. The sudden unavailability of test centres has caused distress, financial burden, and uncertainty among students who are already under intense academic pressure.

Tharoor’s Letter to Health Minister JP Nadda

In a formal letter, Tharoor highlighted that despite having access to applicant data, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) failed to plan sufficient centres to accommodate the high volume of aspirants from Kerala. He criticised the authorities for logistical oversight, noting that such a lapse is unacceptable for an exam of national importance like NEET-PG.

“It is unfair to restrict the number of centres in the state and put the candidates through distress, inconvenience, and financial burden by forcing them to travel to other states for the exam,” Tharoor wrote in the letter.

He urged the Health Minister to take immediate remedial action by authorising additional centres within Kerala, especially considering the time-sensitive and competitive nature of postgraduate medical admissions.

NEET-PG 2025 Centre Allocation Controversy

The NEET-PG examination is a high-stakes, all-India entrance test for admission into postgraduate medical programs, including MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses. Conducted by the NBEMS, the exam attracts lakhs of candidates every year, and seat allocation for test centres is done online on a first-come, first-served basis.

However, in the case of Kerala, Tharoor revealed that all slots were filled almost instantly during a brief reopening of the booking portal, leading to a bottleneck scenario for state candidates. This is not the first time Kerala aspirants have faced such challenges—similar issues had occurred in past years, but this year's severity has sparked widespread protest and appeal for action.

Student Community Reacts

Students, parents, and medical educators across Kerala have expressed frustration over the issue. Many voiced concerns about:

• Having to travel to neighbouring states at short notice

• Increased financial strain, especially for candidates from rural or economically weaker backgrounds

• The disruption of preparation schedules due to uncertainty over travel and stay logistics

Social media has been flooded with messages from distressed aspirants, tagging both NBEMS and the Ministry of Health in hopes of drawing attention to their plight.

Demand for Equitable Access

Tharoor’s intervention underscores a broader debate on fair and equitable access to examination facilities. He emphasized that students from all regions deserve equal opportunities to appear for the NEET-PG without being forced to bear avoidable costs and inconvenience.

Kerala, being one of the leading contributors to India’s healthcare workforce, has thousands of NEET-PG aspirants every year. Despite this, the number of examination centres has remained restricted, further widening the urban-rural and state-wise gap in access to postgraduate education.

Current Status and Awaited Response

As of now, the Health Ministry and NBEMS have not issued an official response to Tharoor’s letter or the students’ concerns. It remains unclear whether:

• Additional centres will be approved for Kerala

• A second window for centre selection will be opened

• The exam date may be reconsidered or rescheduled to accommodate affected candidates

Tharoor concluded his letter by calling on the government to “urgently and compassionately consider” the matter, stating that any further delay could irreparably disadvantage thousands of future doctors from Kerala.

Political and Public Impact

This development is likely to have political resonance in Kerala, a state known for its high literacy rate and competitive academic environment. With the NEET-PG being a gateway to specialised medical careers, public sentiment is increasingly critical of bureaucratic indifference to logistical planning.

Multiple student associations and medical bodies have reportedly begun drafting formal representations to both state and central governments. Tharoor’s letter is expected to amplify the pressure on the Union Health Ministry to act swiftly.

Conclusion

The NEET-PG centre shortage crisis in Kerala is not just an issue of capacity—it is a matter of equal opportunity, fairness, and academic justice. With thousands of students potentially facing hardship, stress, and disruption, Tharoor’s appeal on their behalf has brought the issue into the national spotlight.

Whether the central government heeds the call and takes corrective action remains to be seen. But what is certain is that the aspirants of Kerala are watching—and waiting—with anxious hope.

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