The much-anticipated National Exit Test (NExT) — envisioned as a single, standardized exam for all Indian medical graduates — will not be implemented immediately, the National Medical Commission (NMC) confirmed this week.
Following discussions between NMC Chairman Dr. Abhijat Sheth and representatives of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), the Commission said that while the exam remains the future of medical assessment in India, its rollout has been deferred to allow more time for preparation, stakeholder input, and policy refinement.
“NExT Is the Future, But Not Yet”
Speaking with indianexpress.com, Dr. Sheth said the NMC and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have already begun work on the NExT framework, but emphasized that the exam would not be rushed into implementation.
“Another two to four years will be given before full implementation, consensus, and adaptability among all stakeholders — including institutions, students, and regulatory bodies — to ensure smooth and effective execution,”
— Dr. Abhijat Sheth, NMC Chairman
Originally scheduled for August 2025, it was expected to replace both the MBBS final examination and the NEET-PG entrance exam, serving as a unified qualifying, licentiate, and postgraduate entrance test.
However, amid widespread confusion and logistical challenges, the rollout has been postponed indefinitely.
The Vision Behind NExT
For the government and the NMC, it represents a “forward-looking, long-term medical education reform”. The idea is to create a uniform national benchmark that ensures every graduating doctor in India meets a consistent competency level before receiving a license to practice or applying for postgraduate studies.
If implemented, the NExT would:
- Replace the MBBS final-year exams and NEET-PG.
- Serve as a common licentiate exam for medical registration.
- Standardize evaluation across government and private medical colleges.
According to Dr. Sheth, the model aims to raise training standards, align Indian medical education with global assessment systems, and make postgraduate selection more transparent.
Why Was It Deferred?
The NMC had originally planned to conduct the first NExT for the 2019 MBBS batch in 2023, but the plan faced strong resistance from medical students and faculty associations.
Critics argued that:
- There was no clarity on the syllabus or conducting body.
- The timeline was unrealistic, leaving students underprepared.
- The NMC Act, 2019, did not provide sufficient legal backing for an abrupt transition.
Following widespread protests, the rollout was postponed, and consultations were opened with stakeholders — including deans, state medical councils, and student associations — to seek feedback on whether it should replace existing exams.
However, with responses still being evaluated, the Commission has decided to pause the rollout until full consensus is achieved.
Implementation Challenges
One of the biggest hurdles has been finding an agency capable of conducting the exam at scale.
According to Rohan Krishnan, Chief Patron of FAIMA,
“No authority wanted to take full responsibility for conducting the NExT because it’s supposed to be implemented pan-India. The NBE and AIIMS Delhi both declined, leaving the NMC to handle it — but the Commission lacks the infrastructure to conduct such an exam nationwide.”
This operational vacuum, coupled with a lack of clarity on the exam’s format, evaluation process, and transition phase, prompted the latest delay.
Mixed Reactions from the Medical Community
While many view the deferral as necessary, others believe it highlights ongoing uncertainty in India’s medical education policy.
“The biggest benefit of it is standardizing medical evaluation and ensuring all doctors meet a uniform competency level,” said Dr. Shubham Anand, National Chairman of the Global Association of Indian Medical Students (GAIMS).
“But the drawback has been constant flip-flops by NMC — no clarity, no structure, and no timeline. That confusion created unnecessary anxiety among students.”
The Road Ahead
Dr. Sheth reiterated that the exam is not being scrapped, only strategically delayed. The goal, he said, is to ensure that by the time it launches, all medical institutions and students are adequately prepared.
The NMC plans to continue consultations with stakeholders to finalize the syllabus, format, and conducting body — ensuring a seamless shift to the new system.
For now, students appearing for MBBS and NEET-PG can continue under the existing structure. But the message from the NMC is clear:
Also Read: https://thenewstudent.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=4223&action=edit
https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/india-vs-south-africa-womens-world-cup-final-key-battles-x-factor-10340474/?ref=rhs_top_stories_education