New Delhi: The long-debated National Exit Test (NExT), proposed as a common licentiate examination for MBBS graduates, will not be implemented anytime soon. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to hold off on introducing the exam until a sustainable and comprehensive model is developed.
NExT Model Under Review
Speaking to Medical Dialogues, NMC Chairperson Dr. Abhijat Sheth said the Commission is still refining the structure and feasibility of the NExT. “We need to work on this. Yes, this is a novel idea, but we must ensure that we have an adoptable model and that the model is long-term and sustainable,” he stated.
Dr. Sheth explained that while significant technical groundwork has been laid by his predecessors and the Health Ministry, stakeholder engagement and consensus-building remain pending.
Mock Tests Likely for Data Collection
Addressing concerns over the potential cost and structure of mock tests, Dr. Sheth clarified that such evaluations are essential for data gathering. “If mock tests are conducted for a pilot evaluation, NMC has to take the responsibility,” he said. However, he emphasized that no formal decision has been finalized.
FAIMA Confirms Delay in NExT Implementation
Following a meeting between NMC officials and the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), the association confirmed that the NExT exam will not be introduced immediately. “For the next 3–4 years, NMC plans to conduct mock tests, which will be fully funded by NMC to assess feasibility and gather feedback from students and institutions,” FAIMA announced.
Dr. Akshay Dongardive, FAIMA’s National President, welcomed the move. “This step will allow sufficient time to address legal, structural, and infrastructural challenges, ensuring that the system is fair, transparent, and beneficial to both students and institutions,” he said.
Positive Dialogue Between FAIMA and NMC
FAIMA also lauded the NMC’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. “We appreciate the evidence-based approach and are glad that the Commission has assured a review of our recommendations for inclusion in future policy discussions,” Dr. Dongardive added.
Background: NExT Regulations and Postponement
The NExT Regulations, 2023, were published in the Gazette on June 28, 2023. The exam, initially planned for the 2019 MBBS batch, was postponed after widespread protests. A mock test organized by AIIMS New Delhi for July 2023 was also cancelled following intervention from the Health Ministry.
Students had termed the proposed test a violation of the NMC Act, 2019, prompting the Commission to refund the application fees and re-evaluate the framework.
Consultations with Stakeholders Ongoing
To ensure transparency, NMC invited feedback from medical colleges, universities, and students on key aspects — including exam structure, timing, and whether NExT should replace or supplement final-year MBBS examinations. The collected inputs are expected to shape the final structure of the test.
Consensus and Clarity Needed Before Rollout
Calling the NExT a “novel concept,” Dr. Sheth stressed that several unresolved issues — including transition from state university exams to a centralized format and the perception of difficulty — must be addressed first. “Fear needs to be allayed, confidence built, and awareness created that the exam will be a fair, uniform national assessment,” he said.
Outlook
With the NMC confirming that NExT will remain on hold for the foreseeable future, medical students can expect only mock evaluations in the coming years. The Commission’s current focus is on ensuring that when introduced, the test will be transparent, equitable, and beneficial for all stakeholders in India’s medical education system.
