The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has cancelled the NEET PG 2025 results of 22 candidates after finding evidence of misconduct during exams conducted between 2021 and 2025. The board stated that these candidates had used unfair means to obtain their scores, making their results and scorecards null and void. It also warned that producing these scorecards for any academic or professional purpose would be considered unlawful.

I wanted to write about this because incidents like this raise serious questions about exam integrity and fairness, especially in highly competitive tests like NEET PG, where lakhs of aspirants work hard to earn their place in postgraduate medical courses. Such actions by the board serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining transparency and trust in national-level entrance examinations. The decision also highlights the board’s growing focus on ethical standards in medical education — a field where integrity is just as important as intelligence.

NBEMS Cancels Results, Declares Scorecards Invalid

According to an official notice released by NBEMS, the NEET PG results of 22 candidates have been officially cancelled due to proven instances of malpractice. The board clarified that the cancellation applies to all relevant sessions from 2021 to 2025, meaning that these individuals will no longer be able to use their NEET PG scorecards for any form of admission or registration.

In its statement, NBEMS said:
“Producing the said scorecard and/or result of NEET-PG of the respective session for any purposes, including but not limited to employment, enrolment, registration, or admission to PG courses, shall be unlawful.”

This makes it clear that any attempt by these candidates to use their invalidated results for job applications, medical college admissions, or registration with medical councils could invite legal action.

Misconduct in High-Stakes Exams

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) is one of the most competitive exams in India, determining entry to postgraduate medical courses such as MD, MS, and PG diplomas. Every year, thousands of doctors appear for the exam to secure seats in top medical colleges across the country.

Misconduct in such exams not only compromises the credibility of the testing process but also denies deserving candidates a fair chance. NBEMS has said that it regularly conducts audits, reviews, and technology-backed investigations to detect irregularities, including impersonation, cheating, and manipulation of test data.

This latest action reflects the board’s commitment to ensuring exam transparency and upholding merit-based selection in medical education.

Steps Taken by NBEMS to Maintain Exam Integrity

Over the past few years, NBEMS has introduced a range of anti-cheating and digital monitoring measures to safeguard its examinations. Some of these include:

• AI-based surveillance during computer-based tests (CBTs) to detect suspicious behaviour or multiple login attempts.
• Randomised question paper generation to prevent paper leaks or pattern-based cheating.
• Candidate verification through biometric scanning at testing centres.
• Post-exam audits and result analysis to detect score irregularities or identity mismatches.

According to NBEMS officials, such scrutiny is part of the board’s broader effort to preserve the integrity of the NEET PG and other medical examinations.

Impact on the Cancelled Candidates

The cancellation of results has serious consequences for the 22 affected candidates. They will not only lose eligibility for PG admissions for the respective sessions but also face potential disqualification from future NBEMS-conducted exams if found guilty of severe violations.

The board has advised institutions and universities not to consider these candidates’ applications for any admission or registration process. Furthermore, if any of them have already secured seats using the now-invalidated results, those admissions may be revoked after verification.

The decision also serves as a warning to future aspirants that any form of malpractice, even minor, will be detected and penalised — sometimes years later.

Reactions from the Medical Education Community

The decision has drawn attention within the medical education community, where many have welcomed NBEMS’s strict stance. Several educators and doctors have stated that the move reinforces fairness and discourages unethical shortcuts in a field built on responsibility and service.

Dr. R. Mehta, a senior professor at a Delhi medical college, said, “Medical education must rest on integrity. A doctor’s journey begins with examinations like NEET PG, and if dishonesty enters at that level, it affects public trust in the entire profession. The board’s decision, though harsh for the few, is in the larger interest of the medical community.”

At the same time, some have called for a more transparent public explanation about the specific nature of the misconduct to ensure accountability and to help students understand the boundaries of permissible conduct during exams.

Maintaining Public Trust in Medical Entrance Exams

This incident once again brings into focus the need for strong oversight mechanisms in India’s entrance exam system. Over the years, multiple competitive exams — from NEET to government recruitment tests — have faced allegations of leaks and irregularities.

However, NBEMS’s proactive action against misconduct shows that regulatory bodies are taking exam ethics seriously. In a high-pressure environment where candidates spend years preparing, upholding fairness is vital not just for the system but also for the morale of honest aspirants.

The board’s ongoing digital reforms, including data tracking and identity verification, are expected to further reduce chances of malpractice in the coming years.