The National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that the National Exit Test (NExT) will be postponed for three to four years. Instead of immediate implementation, the NMC plans to conduct mock exams to assess feasibility and readiness, following consultations with the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA).
This decision brings relief to MBBS students and resident doctors across India, as it allows time to evaluate infrastructure, legal frameworks, and academic preparedness before the nationwide rollout of NExT.
NExT Mock Tests to Evaluate Feasibility
The mock NExT exams will be fully funded by the NMC. They aim to assess the following:
Key Objective | Details |
Exam Structure | Evaluate the design, pattern, and assessment methods |
Logistics | Test the infrastructure and administrative processes |
Student Feedback | Gather inputs from medical students and resident doctors |
Institutional Readiness | Assess preparedness of medical colleges and hospitals |
Policy Insights | Use findings to decide on final NExT implementation timeline |
Dr Abhijat Sheth, NMC Chairman, stated that the mock exams will guide future decisions, ensuring proper infrastructure, legal clarity, and academic integration before the full rollout of NExT.
FAIMA’s Role and Evidence-Based Inputs
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) shared findings from a nationwide survey highlighting concerns of MBBS students and resident doctors:
- Quality of training and academic support
- Workload and stress management
- Institutional preparedness for conducting NExT
The NMC appreciated FAIMA’s data-driven recommendations and assured that these insights would be reviewed for inclusion in upcoming policy discussions related to medical education in India.
