National Exit Test
{{short description|Proposed exam in India}}
National Exit Test (abbreviated as NExT) is a proposed examination for all MBBS, BAMS, BUMS, BSMS, BHMS students in India that is required to pass the final year and obtain a license to practice medicine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prsindia.org/sites/default/files/bill_files/Nationl%20commission%20for%20Indian%20system%20of%20medicine%20bill%2C%202019.pdf|title=THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE BILL, 2019|last=|first=|date=|website=PRS India|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-07-20}} Admissions to postgraduate courses will be based on the merit of a candidate in NEXT. Introduced by the National Medical Commission Bill 2019, National commission for Indian system of medicine bill 2019 and National commission for Homoeopathy bill 2019. NEXT will also serve the purpose of Screening Test for Foreign Medical Graduates who are now required to qualify Medical Council of India Screening Test (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination or FMGE) and will for admission into postgraduate medical courses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/policy/cabinet-approves-bill-to-replace-mci-with-national-medical-commission-1563360408508.html|title=Government clears NMC Bill to revamp medical education system|last=Sharma|first=Neetu Chandra|date=2019-07-17|website=Mint|language=en|access-date=2019-07-20}} In January 2020, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also introduced the draft National Dental commission Bill that also called for National Exit Test after BDS for dentists in India.{{cite web | url=https://medicaldialogues.in/dentistry/news/next-after-bds-for-license-to-practice-pg-dental-admissions-proposed-by-govt-62704 | title=NEXT After BDS For License To Practice, PG Dental Admissions Proposed By Govt | newspaper=Medical Dialogues | date=30 Jan 2021 | accessdate=30 Jan 2020}}
Who needs to take NExT exam
The following categories of students must take the NEXT exam :
- MBBS graduates from Indian medical colleges (to obtain a license and for PG admissions)
- Indian students who completed MBBS abroad (to qualify for medical practice in India)
- Foreign nationals aiming to practice medicine in India{{Cite web |last=Counselor |first=MBBS |date=2025-03-15 |title=NEXT Exam for MBBS Abroad Students: Everything You Need to Know |url=https://bookmymbbs.com/next-exam-for-mbbs-abroad-students-everything-you-need-to-know/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=MBBS Abroad Consultants - Book My MBBS |language=en-US}}
History
The very first amendment to the NMC bill was in February 2018, then again in March 2019. A lot of debates and discussions regarding these came up from medical practitioners and medical aspirants.
On January 7, 2019, The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2019 (abbreviated as "National Medical Commission Bill" or "NMC Bill") was introduced in Rajya Sabha by Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for AYUSH.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prsindia.org/content/prs-parliament-diary-winter-session-%E2%80%93-day-16-jan-7-2019|title=PRS Parliament Diary: Winter Session – Day 16: Jan 7, 2019|date=2019-01-08|website=PRSIndia|language=en|access-date=2019-07-20}}
On July 17, 2019, The Union Cabinet approved the Bill with a purpose to unify all the medical entrance examinations and setting uniform standards for Indian System of Medicine.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/key-takeaways-from-union-cabinet-decisions-on-july-17/article28515138.ece|title=Key takeaways from Union Cabinet decisions on July 17|author=The Hindu Net Desk|date=2019-07-17|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-07-20|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}
Among other reforms, NMC Bill sought to introduce the National Exit Test in the Indian System of Medicine. In year 2020 the Medical Council of India was replaced with a new authority that is called National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (abbreviated as National Medical Commission or NMC).{{Cite news|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/nmc-comes-into-force-from-today-repeals-indian-medical-council-act20200925002735/|title=NMC comes into force from today, repeals Indian Medical Council Act|access-date= 13 May 2021 |date = 25 September 2020}}
The National Medical Commission released draft regulations in 2021 on foreign medical graduates (FMGs) that amends the requirement for the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam. Starting at an unknown date, overseas graduates will be required to qualify the new National Exit Test (NExT) in place of the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE). Candidates intending to practice in India will have to clear NExT, within two years of completing their medical studies abroad. The draft regulation is expected to become official when published in the next gazette.{{cite web
|title= Evaluating foreign medical graduates based on clinical questions is unfair
|url= https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/careers/evaluating-foreign-medical-graduates-based-on-clinical-questions-is-unfair/ar-BB1gsu5T?
|website= msn.com
|publisher= MSN
|access-date=7 May 2021}}
Criticism
A lack of provision for repeaters and failures of the test was cited as a concern. However, it was clarified that the exam will have no cap on the number of attempts.{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/medical-exit-test-assurance/cid/1696450 | title=Medical exit test assurance | newspaper=Telegraph India | date=2019-08-09 | accessdate=2019-08-09}}
References
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