The National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that the possible plan for the National Exit Test (NExT), which is a standardized qualifying exam for medical graduates, will not be implemented immediately. This decision was made public after a delegation from the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA), one of the most representative doctors’ associations in India, met with NMC Chairman Dr. Abhijat Sheth.
Chairman's Statement on NExT Implementation
The Hon’ble Chairman, Dr Abhijat Sheth, says that the NMC and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are working on the NExT framework, and further progress will continue after meeting the current challenges and operational requirements. He also says that the exam will not have immediate implementation, it requires more adequate time for a well-planned, feedback, and transition. Earlier, it was scheduled to be implemented in August 2025. The final implementation of the NExT exam will be considered as a qualifying exam after evaluating the outcomes and responses from its trial runs, and it might take 2 to 4 years.
History of NExT Postponement
The National Medical Commission (NMC) had originally planned to conduct the National Exit Test (NExT) in 2023 for the MBBS batch admitted in 2019. However, this decision was postponed indefinitely after students protested, claiming it violates the NMC Act, 2019.
With the issue still unresolved, the NMC sought feedback from various stakeholders that including the medical colleges, faculty members, and student organizations share their views on whether the NExT should replace both the current MBBS final exams and NEET PG.
The NMC has postponed the introduction of the NExT exam as responses are still awaited. When it launched, NExT intended to function as a single qualifying, licentiate, and postgraduate entrance test for medical graduates seeking registration to practice in India.
Responsibility and Infrastructure Issues
Rohan Krishnan, chief patron of FAIMA, stated that no organization was willing to take the responsibility for conducting the NExT because the goal was to implement it nationwide. Proposals were sent to the National Board of Examinations (NBE) and AIIMS Delhi, but both declined. The responsibility was then assigned to the National Medical Commission, which lacks the necessary infrastructure, leading to the exam being put on hold.
Dr. Shubham Anand, National Chairman of the Global Association of Indian Medical Students (GAIMS), noted that while NExT’s main advantage is standardizing medical education assessment and ensuring all doctors have uniform competency—also combining licensing and postgraduate admission—the major downside has been the lack of clear communication and frequent reversals by the NMC, which created confusion.
