Supreme Court Slams 'Social Media-Driven' Plea, Fines Petitioner for NEET PG Re-Exam Bid

India's Supreme Court has decisively rejected a "social media-driven" petition asking for a nationwide re-examination of NEET PG 2026, delivering a stern message against misusing the legal system. The bench, comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, not only dismissed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) but also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the petitioner and their advocate for wasting court time and process. The court also indicated it would ask the Bar Council of India to take action against the lawyer involved. The petition sought a full re-test for all candidates, claiming disruptions at exam centers violated a previous court order that NEET PG be held in a single shift. However, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) clarified that only about 2,445 candidates at two specific Jaipur iON Digital Zone centers were affected by power outages, and a special re-examination for these candidates is already scheduled for September 5. The Supreme Court expressed concern that the petitioners were not among those directly affected, questioning the motives behind what it called a 'social media-driven plea' and suggesting the lawyer had become a "full-time PIL litigant". This ruling acts as a strong caution to those attempting to use the judiciary for purposes beyond genuine grievances, especially when fueled by online campaigns. With the re-examination for genuinely affected candidates proceeding as planned, the focus now shifts to how the Bar Council of India might act on the Supreme Court's recommendation regarding the advocate's conduct, highlighting the importance of upholding legal ethics and preventing frivolous litigation.